CHINESE PRESERVED LEMON RECIPES

Steps:

• Scrub 3 to 5 organic lemons, enough to fit snugly in a medium jar with a tight-fitting lid (have 2 to 4 more ready on the side). Slice each lemon from the top to within 1/2 inch of the bottom, almost cutting them into quarters but leaving them attached at one end. Rub kosher salt over the cut surfaces, then reshape the fruit. Cover the bottom of the jar with more kosher salt. Fit all the cut lemons in, breaking them apart if necessary. Sprinkle salt on each layer.
• Press the lemons down to release their juices. Add to the jar the peppercorns and bay leaves, then squeeze the additional lemons into the jar until juice covers everything.
• Close the jar and let ripen at cool room temperature, shaking the jar every day for 3 to 4 weeks, or until the rinds are tender to the bite. Then store it in the refrigerator.
• To use, remove a piece of lemon and rinse it. (Add more fresh lemons to the brine as you use them up.) The minced rind is added at the very end of cooking or used raw; the pulp can be added to a simmering pot.

Steps:

• Cook cumin seeds in a large skillet over medium heat 2 minutes or until toasted. Place cumin in a spice grinder; process until finely ground. Combine cumin, salt, pepper, and chicken in a large zip-top bag; seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour. Remove chicken from bag. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes. Turn chicken over; add stock to pan. Sprinkle chicken with lemon and olives. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 6 minutes. Partially cover; cook 4 minutes or until chicken is done. Add butter to pan, stirring until melted. Place 1 chicken breast half on each of 4 plates. Drizzle each serving with 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce; sprinkle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons cilantro.