If you enjoy adding a squeeze of citrus to your dishes, you are going to absolutely adore the hint of lemon zest. Whether baking, cooking, or mixing up a refreshing drink, lemon zest adds a bright, punchy aromatic spice that seems to bring out the best in the ingredients. The lemon juice is known for its sharp kick whereas, the zest from the outer yellow layer of the lemon peel provides an intense lemon flavour without the acidity. It simply uses the zest without adding extra liquid to your dishes. Most home cooks forget about the zest, but this is a versatile ingredient that can give vibrancy to both sweet and savoury creations. Whether it is baking cakes or inventing cocktails, the use of lemon zest will give recipes that gourmet touch. Let's delve into what lemon zest is and how to use it in other culinary creations.
What is lemon zest?
Lemon zest is a colourful, outer layer of lemon peel that contains a strong citrus flavour and essential oils. The white pith underneath has a bitter taste whereas the zest itself is highly fragrant and imparts a bright, tangy aroma. Zesting entails stripping off this thin yellow layer by way of a fine grater, microplane, or zester tool. Since the zest contains the highest concentration of citrus oils, it's usually much more flavour-intensive than lemon juice, offering a completely different means of adding lemon flavour without the additional liquid or sourness.
Fresh, dry, or even frozen lemon zest can be used depending on the recipe. But be sure to only zest the very outer layer since any deeper penetration will bring in that bitter pith, which could negatively affect the flavour of your final dish.
How To Use Lemon Zest
Desserts
Lemon zest has a fabulous flavour that adds a citrusy kick to sweets and can be folded into cake batter, added into cookies or stirred into pie fillings. For example, adding lemon zest to a traditional pound cake or a lemon drizzle cake will just balance the flavour of the lemon without making the cake too tart. It's also great when used as a flavouring for shortbread or sugar cookies, giving them a subtle hint of lemon.
For cheesecakes, a sprinkling of lemon zest into the filling adds a brightness that balances out the richness of the cream cheese. You can also mix zest into your icing or frosting for a flavoured topping for cupcakes, pastries, or muffins.
In Drinks
Lemon zest is also very handy to be used in a wide range of drinks. It adds refreshing flavour and fragrance to cocktails, mocktails, or even just plain lemonade. Cocktails like lemon martini or a gin and tonic can use the zest by rubbing it around the rim of the glass or by using a simple drop into the drink to release the citrus aroma.
For non-carbonated drinks, such as homemade iced tea, or for carbonated water, infusing lemon zest into the mixture will add the fragrance of citrus to the drink without overpowering its natural flavour. You can even freeze lemon zest in ice cubes to keep your drinks cold and flavourful.
In Savoury Dishes
The zest of lemon can be used both to add flavour to sweet dishes and also to really perk up savoury recipes. A little zest adds brightness to pasta sauces, risotto, or marinades for meats and seafood. For example, a few flecks of lemon zest stirred into a creamy pasta sauce or risotto will counteract the richness of the dish with its fresh citrusy flavour.
It also makes a wonderful addition to seasoning for roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or fish. Mix zest with olive oil, garlic, and herbs to make an aromatic marinade or rub with deep flavour. Lemon zest is perfect for fish dishes such as baked salmon, where it adds brightness without overpowering the delicate taste of the dish.
Salad Dressings and Sauces
Add a pinch of lemon zest to your homemade vinaigrette or sauce. Lemon zest mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and honey makes a zesty, refreshing dressing for pale green, leafy greens salads. It's great on simple vinaigrettes, with avocado, tomatoes, or grilled chicken.
Just a little lemon zest can revive a rich hollandaise or béchamel sauce. You can also stir it into mayonnaise or aioli to create the lemon flavoured condiment for sandwiches, fries, or roasted vegetables.
Breakfast Dishes
Use lemon zest to add a bright note to the batter of pancakes or waffles, served for a hearty breakfast. Stir into yoghurt or sprinkle over granola for an added citrus kick. Since lemon zest pairs well with berries, make it your perfect fruit salad or oatmeal topping.