Getting All of the Citrus Zest

How nice it would be to never lose another flavorful shred of citrus zest to the grater holes?

Oranges, lemons, limes – you can loose so much zest in those little grater nubs, especially if you are using a box grater.  Use this simple trick and you won’t lost but a tiny bit.  Snce I use citrus zest in a TON of recipes, this trick has come in handy quite a bit.

Remember, once you get down below the bright yellow for lemons, green for limes, and orange for….well, you know: STOP.  the white pith beneath the zest is quite bitter, and not in a good way.  Just shave off the bright outer skin of the citrus fruit.

So what do you use citrus zest in?

• Killer Egg Salad
• Rosemary and Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Herbed Boneless Leg of Lamb with Mustard Crust
• Citrusy Mango Ginger Salsa
• Green Beans Two Ways
• Simple Lemon-Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast
• Rosemary and Lemon Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Orange Thyme Rack of Lamb Chops
• Rosemary Orange Cod Filets
• Simple Orange Basil Egg Salad

And really anywhere you want to add a vibrant pop of tanginess and a touch of bittersweet.  If you want to amplify the citrus flavor in any dish calling for the juice or oranges, lemons, or limes, consider adding a bit of the zest, usually towards the end of the cooking time, so keep its flavor at its brightest.