Add A Little Zest To Your Meal

Recipes

Written by Elke Probkevitz

Thursday, 12 August 2010 11:07

Everyone is familiar with citrus juices like lemon, lime, and orange that can be used in cooking to add zing to your dish. The exterior peel of these fruits, known as the zest, actually has the most flavor. The outermost layer of the fruit contains aromatic oils which are valued for the strong citrus flavor they impart to food. With the zest, a little can go a long way.

The peel of a citrus fruit contains two top layersâ€”the zest, which is the outermost part of the rind, and the pith, a white, fibrous membrane directly below the zest which helps to protect the fruit inside. The zest is the shiny, brightly colored, and textured outer surface. Lemon zest has an intense lemon-citrus flavor with very little bitterness. The bitterness is primarily found in the pith, or white part, of the lemon.

Preparing the fruit. Since you will actually be consuming the peel, you want to make sure the exterior is cleaned properly. Before zesting, scrub the fruit with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and dry it with a paper towel.

How to zest. There are a number of ways to zest a citrus fruit. Some zesters work like graters, delicately shredding the zest so that tiny flakes are removed. Others take the zest off in long strips. Strips of zest make great decorations for desserts. The best tool to use is a zester which is specifically designed to finely grate the peel. You can find these gadgets in any kitchen supply store. Microplanes are considered the best zesting grater on the market. If you donâ€™t have a zesting tool you can use a vegetable peeler or paring knife, but make sure to remove any white pith that comes with the peel. You can then finely chop or slice your zest. You can also use a vegetable grater to get very finely grated zest.

Uses for zest. Zest is great with fish and poultry to bring a taste of freshness. In baked goods, lemon zest can be used to add a lemony flavor to the finished food product. The natural oils in the zest will slowly filter out through the cooking process, infusing the food with flavor. Individual pieces of lemon zest will also crack open when bitten into, producing a sudden burst of lemon flavor. Lemon zest can also be used as a food seasoning, or it can be added to various mixed drinks and beverages. Candied lemon zest strips typically include the pith as well because the process softens the pith and makes it more flavorful without bitterness.

Mojito Limeade

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
2 limes, cut into wedges, plus more for garnish
2 cups crushed ice, plus more for serving
1 cup lime-mint syrup, recipe below
1 liter white rum (optional for alcoholic drinks)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Club soda

Directions

Muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges with 2 cups crushed ice in the bottom of a large pitcher. Add lime-mint syrup, rum, lime juice, and more ice. Top off with club soda, to taste. Pour into glasses over ice and serve. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge and mint sprigs, if desired.

Lime-Mint Syrup

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 limes, zested
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

Directions

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat, stir in the lime zest and mint, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to infuse the syrup with the flavor of lime and mint. Strain out the mint and zest and refrigerate the syrup, covered, until cold.

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