Zesting

Become a Better Cook! This Just Maika Cooking: Cook’s Notebook section will focus on everything related to using a zester connected to all my recipe posts, which are updated frequently.

ingredients for the lemon dill sauce in a glass pyrex mixing bowl.

Image: Calabrian Pepper Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce recipe.

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The Original Zester
Citrus Zesting
Video Overview: How and Why to Zest?
Other Reasons to Use a Zester
Overview Video: Zesting (No Audio)
Plastic vs. Wood Cutting Board
Cook's Notebook: Become a Better Cook!
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The Original Zester

Over the past decade, this Microplane has been and still is my favorite! My replacement was once when someone came to borrow it in the kitchen and left it next to an open flame! And it scorched the metal. It worked great, but I was young and concerned about aesthetics. Go figure!

This was a professional kitchen staple. You can use it to enhance the citrus flavor and presentation of foods, from pureed soups to beautiful French custards, just like my Spicy Green Kale Lentil Soup with delicious lemon broth. It’s the original Microplane, and it’s my go-to item.

a hand holding a lemon and microplane zester

a pile of lemon zest and Microplane on a plastic cutting board

a pile of lime zest and a Microplane on a plastic cutting board.

Citrus Zesting

Zesting is peeling only the skin of the citrus fruit without the white flesh, referred to as pith. The skin contains aromatic oils and is an excellent addition to recipes to intensify the flavors of a dish. A fine grater is the most convenient way to obtain the zest of the citrus fruit, usually referred to as zester or a Microplane.

Video Overview: How and Why to Zest?

Other Reasons to Use a Zester

To make ginger or garlic paste.
- Some recipes use both.
To finely grate parmesan cheese.
- Like in risottos
Some chefs use it to grate truffle mushrooms.
- These mushrooms are very fragrant and pricey.
- But they add a nice touch to pasta, risotto, and even fries!
- It is usually paired with truffle oil, sea salt, rosemary, or parmesan cheese.

Overview Video: Zesting (No Audio)

Plastic vs. Wood Cutting Board

I used to zest over a container, but using a Fotouzy Color Coded Flexible Plastic Cutting Board Mat is much easier. It’s easier to pick up the plastic board and pour the zest into my desired dish.