February 21st, 2024 at 14:47 pm » Comments (0)

Just a reminder: Dried herbs and spices are about one third of fresh. So if recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh ZEST, plan to rehydrate 1 teaspoon of dried peel. If you only have dried PEEL, rehydrate 1/2 tablespoon (1.5 Teaspoons,)

Caveat Lechtor: Some links in this post may be Affiliate. As always I recommend you shop local for the best price. For that that are Affiliate links. Use of these links may pay a small commission to me. This does not affect the price you pay

When you want to bring the citrus flavor forward AND add the texture of peels, you will find it time well spent if you rehydrate the peels¹ in juice. Unsweetened² Water enhancers are ideal for this and have decent shelf life. For “plain” water, we like to keep both Real Lemon and Real Lime³ on hand.

Another product I like are the True Lime, Lemon & Orange CRYSTALIZED Water Enhancers packets. They are unsweetened. No sugar, No Sugar Subs. The Lemon, Lime and several artificially sweetened drink varieties are often available in local stupid markets, the Orange is often not carried. So Amazon becomes the only source.

I don’t use the orange that often because the St. Dalfour Orange Marmalade Fruit Spread works in most of my recipes as it replaces both zest and some of the sugar. If neither it that often so and if the week’s menus require it, and none is in the pantry; then I will just buy a small bottle of OJ – and freeze what does not get used into recipe size portions. You will also find the packets in all three in my “hospital/travel go bag” just remember to rotate them out on a regular basis.

I have found that “on its own” dried peel is not very flavor forward, but rather more like added texture. With that in mind, the Atlantic Spice Orange peel is a bit more citrusy than most, BUT if I rehydrate with Lemon or Lime – it works because the flavor is really coming from the concentrated juice and so the lemon or lime flavor comes thru in the food where it used as an ingredient.

To Rehydrate: Peel: Place dried orange or lemon or lime peel in a small microwave safe bowl, add 1 packet of Crystalized Water Enhancer or 1 Tablespoon Lemon or Lime concentrate. then add additional liquid to just barely cover. Microwave just long enough to warm the liquid and then leave it, covered, on the counter until the liquid is absorbed. I have tried to “hurry the process” by microwaving for short intervals until all liquid is absorbed but did not like the result –

Remember, our preferred taste may not be what you like, so ALWAYS try it with smaller initial investment in pantry items. If you like, then bulk by it later.

• Summary: Recipe calls for 1 tablespoon FRESH Citrus Zest
• If using Granules, Rehydrate 1 teaspoon|
• If Using Peel, Rehydrate 1.5 Teaspoons
• ADD 1 flavor Packet
• OR 1 Tablespoon Concentrate
• Add liquid to barely cover
• Microwave just long enough to warm but not boil liquid
• Cover and allow to absorb liquid while “sitting on the counter”

1. My preferred source for Orange Peel is Atlantic Spice (not an affiliate link) ↩︎
2. Unsweetened to me means No added sugar OR sugar subs. ↩︎
3. We use Real Lemon as a water enhancer and in cooking/baking – at this time, BJ’s offers the best price. If you like Mexican cuisine (and we do) BJ’s Real Lime 2 pk is the best price in our area (central MD) ↩︎