Lemon Zest
Brighten your dishes with the zesty, aromatic punch of freshly grated Lemon Zest! This quick and simple recipe captures the vibrant essence of a single lemon, delivering a concentrated flavor boost to both sweet and savory creations. By skillfully removing just the fragrant yellow outer layer of the lemon, this technique avoids the bitter pith and brings out the citrus's natural oils. Perfect for enhancing baked goods, marinades, dressings, or cocktails, lemon zest takes mere minutes to prepare and can be stored for future use. Discover how this essential ingredient can elevate your cooking with its tangy, refreshing flair!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 piece Lemon
Instructions
Wash the lemon thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue from its surface. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
Place the lemon on a cutting board, holding it firmly in place with one hand.
Using a microplane grater or a fine-toothed grater, gently rub the surface of the lemon's skin over the grater. Focus only on the outermost yellow layer, as this contains the flavorful citrus oils.
Continue zesting until you have removed all of the yellow peel from the lemon. Avoid zesting the white layer beneath (the pith), as it has a bitter taste.
Collect the lemon zest carefully from the grater and use it immediately in your recipe, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
17 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5.4 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 80 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
