Blackwood's Dried Lemon Peel
29 Jun 2021
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DRIED LEMON ZEST

Wash your fresh lemons well and then peel them with a vegetable peeler.  Try to peel lightly so that you peel just the rind and not the white pith.  You can also use a zester grater if preferred. When done, spread the peels out well onto an oven tray and pop them into the oven on the lowest temperature possible.  Take care, as you don’t want the peels to cook in any way.  They will need to dry in the oven until they are crisp and snap when trying to break them.  This can take between 30 mins to just over an hour or so.

Crush the peels up roughly by hand and then pop them in your coffee grinder.  Grind them until you get a fine powder.  Store the lemon zest powder in the fridge.  It should keep for about a year.

COOKING WITH DRIED LEMON PEEL

Here are some fun ideas on how to use your lemon zest in cooking:

  • Make your own lemon pepper. Combine 2 tablespoons of lemon peel powder and 1 tablespoon of pepper.  If desired, you can also add 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • Add a pinch of lemon zest to herbal tea.
  • Add a sprinkle to your homemade salad dressing.
  • Mix with sugar and sprinkle over scones or other baked goods.
  • Put a bit into the crumble topping of apple pies.
  • Give your vanilla or lemon pudding extra zing with a dash of lemon zest powder.
  • Use a little to brighten the flavour of artichokes by adding it to the cooking water.