Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Lees75 on June 10, 2012, 10:25:53 am

Title: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Lees75 on June 10, 2012, 10:25:53 am
I am going to make the custard in the EDC to use up some milk. So how do I get the zest off the lemon?! (told you it was a dumb question- lol!)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: mcmich on June 10, 2012, 10:28:17 am
No dumb questions Lee. Have you got a zester? A fine plane - tiny grater.
You can use the finest side of your box grater.
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: gertbysea on June 10, 2012, 10:29:42 am
On this forum there  is no such thing as a dumb question. 

Obviously you do not own a zester tool. I would get one as it is handy..........but you have a grater for sure. Just twist and turn your lemon along the grater and you have lemon zest!!

Too easy eh?

Gert
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Lees75 on June 10, 2012, 10:31:43 am
Thanks Gert:) That's what I remembered from childhood, but thought I had  better check:)
Oops- thanks mcmich, too. I missed your reply:)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: goldfish on June 10, 2012, 10:34:22 am
Not dumb at all, Lees75!!  Just use the fine side of a grater.  Just be careful not to get any of the white pith between the skin and the lemon - it's pretty bitter.  You can get special little zesters which are just small very fine graters.

You could also use a very sharp knife to cut the skin from the lemon - but once again, be very careful not to include any of the pith.  

Let's know how you go - it's a lovely custard.  I used the zest of just one lemon once and found it was not nearly lemony enough.  Maybe add a little more.  The more you make the custard, the more you'll become familiar with the quantities of the ingredients that suit you.  Good luck! :)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Lees75 on June 10, 2012, 11:23:15 am
Sooooo yummy:) One lemon was perfect for me.  I can't wait to make the chocolate  version for the kids.

I still can't believe that little old me is cooking custard to use up milk at it's due date. Previously I would have just tipped it down the sink!
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: gertbysea on June 10, 2012, 11:41:40 am
Warning  Soap Box moment.

Lee the only time to pour milk down the sink is when it is  when the kiids stick their nose up You can use  milk well past it's  use by date .

I have used sour milk in mash potatoes And also in some doughs . In fact I prefer sour cream or sour milk in mash.  My mother used to make cookies with sour milk and a sort of scone as well.

Cream past it's use by date makes the best  butter. Remember that use by dates are something imposed on us and something our Mothers never experienced . They used their nose.

Gert
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Amy :-) on June 10, 2012, 11:51:39 am
I still can't believe that little old me is cooking custard to use up milk at it's due date. Previously I would have just tipped it down the sink!

Lol I don't wait until the milk is nearly out of date Lisa. If I want custard, I'm making custard! :D

Warning  Soap Box moment.

Lee the only time to pour milk down the sink is when it is  when the kiids stick their nose up You can use  milk well past it's  use by date .

I have used sour milk in mash potatoes And also in some doughs . In fact I prefer sour cream or sour milk in mash.  My mother used to make cookies with sour milk and a sort of scone as well.

Cream past it's use by date makes the best  butter. Remember that use by dates are something imposed on us and something our Mothers never experienced . They used their nose.

Gert

Some interesting things here for me to remember. Thanks Gert ;)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Merlin on June 10, 2012, 01:46:33 pm
I use a microplane grater- very sharp and very effective. Doesn't tend to grate deep enough to reach the pith, which you don't want. More importantly, I haven't grated my fingers accidentally on it yet, which is.a minor miracle in itself!
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: teagg on June 10, 2012, 04:50:44 pm
I just use a potato peeler or a serrated blade peeler (zyliss make one).
Then zap it in the TMX alongside the sugar. Much quicker and easier.
And one less kitchen utensil!
HTH
Gillian
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: nazar on June 10, 2012, 05:34:13 pm
 snap teagg    l own the same peeler    love it
and  l do the same for my custard , works really well
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Cornish Cream on June 10, 2012, 07:15:28 pm
I just use a potato peeler or a serrated blade peeler (zyliss make one).
Then zap it in the TMX alongside the sugar. Much quicker and easier.
And one less kitchen utensil!
HTH
Gillian
snap teagg    l own the same peeler    love it
and  l do the same for my custard , works really well
I'm always looking for a decent potato peeler so do you recommend the Zyliss brand.I lost count the number of dud ones I have bought  :P I suppose I should take a potato with me and try it out in the shop :D :D :D When ever I buy a teapot I always get the shopkeeper  to fill it with water so I can see that it pours correctly and doesn't drip.Most are obliging,if not I just don't buy it. ;D
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: johnro on June 10, 2012, 07:25:16 pm
I too use a potato peeler and then zap in TMX -  the best grater I have discovered is a Culinare have 2 - cheap a chips from Woolies, only make white but have been using that brand for last  5 - 6 yrs  :)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Cornish Cream on June 10, 2012, 07:38:58 pm
I too use a potato peeler and then zap in TMX -  the best grater I have discovered is a Culinare have 2 - cheap a chips from Woolies, only make white but have been using that brand for last  5 - 6 yrs  :)
Ooh found it on Amazon,only £3 + free p&p ;D
Shouldn't you be sleeping Robyn.I see Uni is on line as well :)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: johnro on June 10, 2012, 08:08:50 pm
Denise you are going to have to fill the space left by Frozzie when after she returns to our time zone in Sept - she has frequently been the recipient of my nocturnal ramblings  :)  :)  I think that I pay less than $5 for the peeler at woolies!  :o
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Cornish Cream on June 10, 2012, 08:14:02 pm
Denise you are going to have to fill the space left by Frozzie when after she returns to our time zone in Sept - she has frequently been the recipient of my nocturnal ramblings  :)  :)
:D :D :D :D It will be an honour to replace her ;D  I'm going to miss my European buddy :'(  I bought the potato peeler on our recommendation ;) so no pressure :D :D
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: fundj&e on June 10, 2012, 08:15:10 pm
i did have a sleeping this morning i got up at 3 45  >:( its better than 2am  ;D

i use a potato peeler 2 the best one is the Culinare one it perfect to peel the lemons for the limoncello  ;D
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Cornish Cream on June 10, 2012, 08:19:06 pm
i did have a sleeping this morning i got up at 3 45  >:( its better than 2am  ;D

i use a potato peeler 2 the best one is the Culinare one it perfect to peel the lemons for the limoncello  ;D
Definitely bought the right one then ;) :D
I would never make it through the day if I got up that early. :o :o
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: obbie on June 10, 2012, 10:57:46 pm
Now back to bed sleepy heads....

I use Mums lemon zester, pretty good.

Yes Frozzie will be back soon.
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Amy :-) on June 11, 2012, 01:06:17 am
I love my vegetable peeler :D Its much easier to use than those ones you have to hold to the side. And its green. Who wouldn't want a green vegetable peeler? :-))
Does anyone have one like mine?
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: fundj&e on June 11, 2012, 01:13:41 am
i only use my peeler for lemons and carrots. i really dont like peeler  ;D
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: judydawn on June 11, 2012, 01:40:17 am
I only use mine for carrots.  I do potatoes with a knife for some reason.  My Dad used to tear his hair out watching me peel a potato and wasting so much of it. It just takes me too long to use a peeler on potatoes and I'm an impatient person who wants things done quickly.  I love my zester for lemons, ginger or for grating parmesan over pasta to serve.  It just goes in the dishwasher then.
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: obbie on June 11, 2012, 03:38:47 am
I have one like yours Amy, its orange.
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Amy :-) on June 11, 2012, 03:49:11 am
I have one like yours Amy, its orange.

Yay Robyn!! Orange is very cool too ;) But shouldn't yours be yellow to go with all your lemons? ???
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: goldfish on June 11, 2012, 05:18:43 am
 :D . . .  so you see, Lees75? . . if you hadn't have asked your question this whole conversation and the sharing of ideas probably would not have taken place . . and CC wouldn't have found her peeler!! ;D  . . Your question was a valuable contribution I should think! ;D
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: lauzzie on June 11, 2012, 07:09:25 am
Wouldnt you just peel a piece of lemon rind off your lemon with a peeler and pulverise in the TMX along with the sugar.   I have never zested a lemon since I have had Thermie I just put the peeled piece of skin (minus the pith) in the bowl and blitz!!
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: Lees75 on June 11, 2012, 12:16:12 pm
Glad to be of service, goldfish ;D

Lauzzie, that makes sense, but I didn't even know whether or not to include the pith- lol! But now I know :)
Title: Re: Dumb question about lemon zest
Post by: lauzzie on June 11, 2012, 12:35:31 pm
It's all just a learning process.  For months after I bought Thermie I kept buying caster sugar and ground almonds.   But now I am so used to making my own caster sugar from raw sugar and only buy whole almonds now and grind them myself.  It just takes time to think a little differently  :D