Three different ways to zest a lemon! This is the best way to add citrus to your recipes…without using a zester.
Are you looking for lemon zest in a recipe? We can help you zest lemons without the need for a zester! Alex and I at A Couple Cooks have many recipes that use this ingredient to add a unique flavor. The best way to zest is not with any zester. Ready to get zesting? This method produces fine zest that can be used in recipes but not as a garnish for cocktails.
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All about zest
The yellow outer portion of the lemon zest is its. Lemon juice can be used to give a tangy taste to recipes. It can be stronger than lemon juice, so it is often used in lemon-flavored baked and cooked recipes such as lemon poppy seeds pancakes. You can also substitute lemon juice with zest.
This is the most important thing about zesting lemons! Make sure to remove the yellow peel and not the white pith. Avoid the pith as it has a bitter taste and should be avoided.
How to zest lemons: Use a Microplane or box grater.
How do you zest lemons for use in recipes? Use a Microplane Grinder. A Microplane is an electric handheld grater that has sharp holes. A Microplane makes it faster and more consistent with grating foods than a box grater. Alex and I use it all the time for zest and things like garlic or ginger. You don’t need a Microplane! A box grater can be used instead.
How to zest a lemon using a Microplane or fine holes on a box grater:
- Place one end of the Microplane on a flat surface with one hand and then hold the other at an angle.
- The other hand should hold the lemon and drag it over the Microplane holes. Be sure only to remove the yellow skin. Avoid the bitter pith.
- Gradually turn your lemon until the yellow peel is gone.
A vegetable peeler is the best tool to zest a lemon.
A vegetable peeler is another way to zest lemons. Although this method isn’t ideal, it can be used in an emergency. It is more difficult to peel the peel with a peeler, but it’s possible! This method works as well. Here’s how to do it:
- You can use a vegetable peeler to remove large sections of yellow skin (without the pith).
- You can use a chef’s knife to cut the peel into small pieces.
What is the amount of zest in one lemon?
Here’s a helpful tip for cooking with lemons. What is the amount of juice and zest in a lemon? This is the secret formula. This quantity may vary slightly if you have very big or small lemons.
The formula is One regular lemon yields approximately 1 tablespoon zest and 2 or 3 tablespoons of juice.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 1 coarse Microplane, fine grater, or vegetable peeler
Instructions
- Clean the lemon and dry it. Next, use one of these zesting methods:
- Hold the Microplane with one hand and place the other end on a smooth surface. Then, angle it. The other hand should hold the lemon and gently drag it over the Microplane holes. Only remove the colored skin (not the pith). Gradually turn your lemon until both sides are zested.
- Fine Grutter: Use the best holes in your box grater to do the same as the Microplane.
- Peeler Use a vegetable scraper to remove large chunks of the colored skin. Only drag the skin from top to bottom, not the pith. Next, use a knife or a spoon to cut the peel into small pieces.
