Want to know how to make your own dried lemon and orange citrus zest?

Dried Orange or Lemon Citrus Zest

• 12 Med-skinned oranges or -lemons Makes 1/4 c powdered orange peel or 1/8 c powdered lemon peel
• a cheese or vegetable grater

Zest is just the thing to spice up any recipe that would benefit from just a touch of lemon flavor. Before grating the skin, always wash the citrus in warm water to remove any preservatives that might be on its surface.

The most efficient gadget for zesting fruit is an inexpensive five holed stainless steel instrument that can be pulled across the skin, and without penetrating into the pith, create threadlike strips. Or you can use the coarse side of a cheese grater to grate off the citrus skin in strips; use only the orange (or yellow) part of the skin avoiding the bitter white part.

Spread the peel strips on two ceramic plates and let dry, uncovered, at room temperature, for 3 to 4 days. The peel can also be dried simply by putting it in a 145 degree oven for an hour or so. When the peels become brittle and shriveled, store them in a small glass jar.

To use: Whirl the citrus zest in a blender or food processor until powdered, or use a mortar or pestle. The strong citrus oil will stay within the dry peels and will be released fully upon powdering.  Use whole dried orange peel in tea blends and to perk up hot chocolate. Use powdered orange or lemon peel in place of extract in baking; also in toppings, to flavor sugar-bowl sugar and to flavor honey, duck, and barbecue sauces. Yield: 14 servings

Citrus Gift Basket Idea
fresh citrus, coconut, orange jelly, lime taffy, lemonade mix,lime spirit cologne body spray, homemadecitrus zest

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