Monday, July 28, 2008

The Siren's Song of Key Limes

The next time you're in the grocery store, be careful when you walk through the product department because danger lurks there. I'm not talking about samonella, I'm talking about key limes!

Sure, they're as cute as they can be, the baby bunnies of the citrus world. Don't be fooled, they're sirens in the Greek tradition, calling to you from among the oranges. They're only $1.69 for an entire bag but the minute you get them home the torture begins.

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How could these little limes torture you? For starters you'll need to squeeze at least 30 of them to get enough juice to make anything. The process of juicing these limes will cost you an hour of your life and send you to an orthopedic physician to deal with your hands.

My single encounter with key limes left me traumatized and just the sight of them causes me to break out in a cold sweat. Don't mess with them I tell you.

When I told my friend Becky what I'd been through she looked at me in disbelief.

"You did WHAT?" she asked.

"I juiced 30 key limes," I whimpered.

"Why would you do that? Haven't you ever heard of Nellie and Joe?"

"No, who are they?"

"They juice the limes so you don't have to." she said.

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I felt pretty dumb and promised myself to examine the grocery shelves in greater detail in the future. I came to love Nellie and Joe. They do an awesome job. I bet they've got the best orthopedic surgeon that money can buy.

If you're looking for something to do with their key lime juice, try these two recipes.

KEY LIME PIE MARTINI

Graham cracker crumbs
2 shots vodka
1/2 shot key lime juice
2 TBSP. heavy whipping cream
1 shot pineapple juice
Wedge of lime

Run the wedge of lime around the edge of a martini glass. Dip the glass into a plate of graham cracker crumbs to coat the edge. Add all remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Raise the glass and toast Nellie & Joe.

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KEY LIME BARS

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup margarine
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup bottled key lime juice
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

Sift together the flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture clings together. Press this mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, beat the eggs, sugar, and lime juice together. Sift 1/4 cup flour and baking powder together; stir into the egg mixture. Pour over the baked crust and return to the oven for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into bars.

NOTE: I found Nellie & Joe's in the section of the grocery store where they keep the regular lime juice.

Have a great Monday everyone.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

YOU are the best. I never know what topic you will cover---you run the gamut. County fairs to lawn mower parts to making aprons and now to key lime martinis! From now on, I, too, will march right by the enticing key lime bags and reach for a bottle of Nellie and Joe!

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

OMGosh! Your post made me laugh so hard! I too, love key lime, but have never juiced any myself. Key Lime pie is one of my all-time favorites!

Anonymous said...

What section of the grocery store do you find Nellie and Joe's?

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

LOL! Great post.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I didn't know about Nellie and Joe either! But I plan to get acquainted real soon. Blessings, marlene

Simple Answer said...

What I wouldn't do for one of those Martini's!

Suzanne said...

Oh Dana I'm so erratic. I simply post whatever is going on. The "Death in the Cornfield Post" was one of my most successful, but I can't post introspection every day.

Carolyn - I'm glad I got to you before you were drawn in by the cute little key limes. I agree, a good key lime pie is one of my favorites also. And remember, one of my missions in life is to find the perfect piece of pie.

Pat - I found it near the bottled lemon juice, in the juice section. It only takes up one space on the shelf so you have to look for it.

Cathy - Hey, what are you up to? I'm going over to see if you've posted something new. I love, love your header....so cute.

Marlene - Look lady....it's 105 in the shade down there. You need a Key Lime Pie Martini to cool off. You better work to get those temperatures down before I get in to town in September.

S.A. - Oh yes....you REALLY need one. Are you packing? I'm hopping over to see what you're up to also.

Thanks everybody for visiting. I appreciate our daily visits. My human contact out here is sometimes limited to my mother-in-law. 'Nuff said.

- Suzanne

Judy said...

I am off in search of Nellie & Joe's...wonder if they are in Canada?

Vee said...

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Nellie or Joe. Only one lime, if my memory serves me correctly, has ever lived in my fridge. I tend to buy the lime juice that is contained by a little plastic lime. Is that just wrong? Great sounding recipes!

If you've been thinking about flannel aprons, I think that you'll enjoy making one to experiment. I decided to make it reversible as I thought that flannel might get "hung up."

I'm giving your bias tape tutorial a whirl today. I just couldn't help myself...bought more fabric this morning and some washable pencils or something like that.

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

I adore lime anything, so I will be trying out the recipes! Thanks.

Bella Della said...

What a fun post! While I am not a key lime fan, I definitely learned something! You come up with the best topics. Hope you are having a good Monday.

life in red shoes said...

Mmmmm, key lime anything! Thank you for the kind words, I'm back.

Rue said...

Now I'm suddenly craving Key Lime Pie... yum!

hugs,
rue

Lil_Birdie said...

LOL !
(they make the most addicting ice tea too)

abb said...

That martini sounds just divine. Another amazing post.

Unknown said...

Oh my!! Thankyou for those !!

I must say, that I adore things made with lime. However, I have never tried juicing key limes. discovered key lime juice in a bottle at Trader Joe's. So much easier .. especailly when i have hankering for Key Lime pie!!

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

LOL...yes, Key Limes can be so mean! :) Thank goodness someone had the foresight to bottle the juice!

Mamahut said...

Now I'm hungry, or thirsty. Hmmm.

Suzanne said...

Judy - I'm not quite sure but I could always do a shipment!

Vee = I am going to test out those flannel apron options. I think they should work fine. Let me know if you have questions about the bias tape.

Libery Post - :Lime - It's not just for gin and tonics anymore!

Bella - Perhaps key lime is an acquired taste. I'm not a huge citrus fan but I do love my limes.

Red Shoes - I'm so glad you are back. I'm going over to read your post about your uncle.

Rue - Go get you some. You'll feel much better.

Little Birdie - I learned to make the most fabulous iced tea while in the Caribbean. They used limes.

Tsannie - The martini is great after a busy day juggling everything.

Karen - Yes, this is once instance when I'll buy the bottled variety over the fresh.

Cowgirl - Key limes are mean!!

Mamahut - You are both....hungry and thirsty.

Thanks for visting with me. - Suzanne

Natalie said...

YUM! I am going to try both of your recipes!

Louise said...

YUM!!!! I'm dying to try the Key Lime Bars! I have a "citrus press" that is sort of like a garlic press, but for, well, citrus. I love it. I think 30 key limes wouldn't hurt at all. But if it does, I'll have Prince Charming check for Nellie and Joe's.

This was hilarious by the way, even if educational!

Louise said...

YUM!!!! I'm dying to try the Key Lime Bars! I have a "citrus press" that is sort of like a garlic press, but for, well, citrus. I love it. I think 30 key limes wouldn't hurt at all. But if it does, I'll have Prince Charming check for Nellie and Joe's.

This was hilarious by the way, even if educational!