Living with Zest

It is possible to live without zest. Why one would want to is another matter entirely. Unlike the profound variety, as in joie de vivre (joy of life) zest, citrus zest is not dependent on mood. It’s simply dependent on a handy little tool aptly named a ‘zester’. Scrape its row of tiny blades along the rind of an orange, lime or lemon and voila! You have zest! This is so easy that it might even make you feel zesty in a more life altering way.

Bakers often use zest in cakes or other delights (maybe there is a direct relation after all), but for a beginning zest maker, here’s a recipe from Food and Wine that uses lemon zest in a salad dressing. (For all you non-cook cooks, this simple dressing might liven up your salad repertoire.)

Tools

• Measuring spoons
• A zester (review kitchen-purchasing advice and go to a real cook shop. This will be your zester for life)
• A sharp knife or something else that chops
• A whisk (if you don’t have one… same advise goes. Buy the best you can afford.)
• A small bowl

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of finely chopped lemon zest
• 1 Tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of chopped Thyme

• 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• Your best salt and some freshly ground pepper to taste

Method

• In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, zest, thyme and honey.
• Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Find some salad greens and you are living with zest!!!

PS There are plenty of links in this one for review. This is the 141st blog entry...Can you believe it?!