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🍊 Dehydrated Food Info Finder — Temperatures & Drying Times
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⚠️ Safety Disclaimer: Drying times are estimates and vary based on slice thickness, food moisture content, humidity, and your dehydrator model. Always check for doneness before storing — food should feel dry, leathery, or brittle with no moist spots. Improperly dried food can harbour mould and bacteria. For meat and poultry, follow USDA safe internal temperature guidelines: beef and pork to 160°F (71°C), poultry to 165°F (74°C). Use a food thermometer when in doubt. Store all dehydrated foods in airtight containers in a cool, dark place and discard anything showing moisture, mould, or off odours.
These days, everyone’s looking for a way to add excitement to their day.
You may have gone out and purchased a new bike or picked up a new set of rollerskates. Someone you know may have invested their time into a new hobby or skill.
It can be the simpler pleasures of life, such as sleeping an extra hour or sipping on your favorite cocktail. It can also be bumping up your kitchen game by incorporating a candied lemon peel into a recipe. If you’re interested in making your own, follow a candied lemon peel recipe that emphasizes using organic lemons to avoid pesticides since the skin is consumed.
Make sure you keep reading to discover 5 ways to use this candied citrus and explore various candied lemon peel uses.
What is Candied Lemon Peel?
Candied lemon peel is a delightful treat that combines the tangy zest of lemon with the sweetness of sugar. Made from the rinds of lemons, this confection involves blanching the peels to remove any bitterness and then simmering them in a sugar syrup until they become soft and translucent. The result is a sweet, zesty snack that can be enjoyed on its own or used to enhance a variety of recipes. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or simply looking for a unique garnish, candied lemon peel adds a burst of citrus flavor that can elevate any dish.
1. Cake Decorations
Lemon-flavored desserts are the perfect summer night sweet snacks, and the intense lemon flavor of candied lemon peel can elevate a simple white cake, other baked goods, and cream cheese icing recipes. It also works naturally in holiday breads or fruitcakes, and pairs beautifully with dehydrated lemons made in a food dehydrator. Using candied lemon peel to decorate the top adds a vibrant citrus taste that enhances the overall flavor.
2. Sidecar Cocktail Garnish
This delicious cocktail features a mixture of lemon juice, Cognac, and Cointreau. While the traditional garnish is an orange slice, you can also use candied orange peel for a different twist. It’s typically garnished with an orange slice and sugar rim, but you can replace the orange slice with candied lemon.
3. Lemon Meringue Pie Topping
Your family cookouts wouldn’t be the same without the traditional lemon meringue pie. For a different texture, you can also use candied lemon zest by removing the pith beforehand. Surprise them this year by topping it with candied lemon.
4. Lemon Scone Filling
As you sip on your evening tea or coffee, indulge in a lemon scone. People add things like cranberries or raisins to their lemon scones but shake things up by tossing in some sliced candied lemon peel strips.
5. Baked Chicken Surprise
Whether you’re experimenting with beet chips or changing up your traditional baked chicken recipe, the kitchen should be a place to have fun and experiment. Try throwing in some candied peel with your chicken and potatoes for a sweet and tangy twist.
How to Candy Lemons: Candied Lemon Peel Recipe
To make candied citrus peel, gather 7-9 lemons, a bunch of water, a couple of cups of granulated sugar, a peeler, and a pot for the stove. Meyer lemons also work well here. You can follow this recipe.
Use a sharp knife or peeler to peel off vertical long strips from the citrus fruit, cutting them into thin strips and avoiding too much white pith. Place the lemon rind strips in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and blanch them in boiling water for about five minutes.
Drain the water from the pot, refill it with fresh water, and blanch lemon peels in boiling water at least 3 times to reduce the bitter taste. After the third time, remove the peels. Empty the pot and fill it with a couple of cups of granulated sugar and one cup of water.
Bring the water and sugar to a boil, and whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves into a simple syrup. Once it’s dissolved, pop in your slices, reduce heat, and let them simmer for 15-30 minutes; add additional sugar as needed until the peels turn translucent or the syrup reaches 230°F-235°F.
Take out your tender peels and dry them on a wire rack or cooling rack set over parchment paper for a few hours before storage. Then throw them into a bowl with about half a cup of granulated sugar and toss them in the sugar. Once they are coated, individually take them out and place them in a container.
Leave them in this container for a couple of weeks.
Storing and Preserving Lemon Peels
To keep your candied lemon peels fresh and flavorful, proper storage is key. Properly stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, they can last 1-2 months. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate or freeze them. In the refrigerator, candied lemon peels can last up to 2 months when stored in an airtight container. For even longer preservation, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use them, simply thaw the frozen peels at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and they’ll be ready to add a sweet, tangy twist to your favorite dishes. You can also use a plastic bag for freezer storage, just as you would when dehydrating food for long-term storage.
Ways to Experiment With Candied Lemon Peels
Using candied peels in the kitchen may be different from anything else you’ve ever done, but it’s worth it. It can be used in a variety of ways, especially alongside other preserved produce like dehydrated fruits for snacking and baking.
Making candied lemon peel from scratch is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to control the ingredients and avoid additives found in store-bought versions. With this recipe, you can make delicious candied lemon peel that’s perfect for adding a burst of citrus flavor to your favorite recipes. Experiment with different flavor combinations and uses for candied lemon peel to take your baking and cooking to the next level.
How do you get the bitterness out of candied lemon peels?
By blanching the peel repeatedly in boiling water before candying it, which helps remove the bitter taste.
What can I do with candied peel syrup?
Use the leftover syrup in cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, or as a dessert glaze; it started as the simple syrup used to candy the peels.
Can I make candied peel with other citrus?
Yes, you can make candied citrus peels with other citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and limes. You can also candy grapefruit peel, but because it is more bitter, it may need about five blanching sessions.
DannyContent Writer
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!
