primitives discuss grating lemon peels

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x75194

Oh my.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 01:46 PM
Original message
 
Grating lemon zest. Grrrr...

Does anybody have a tip about grating the lemon skin? I tried every angle on my grater. I still only get a smidgeon of zest, certainly not enough for even a half teaspoon full in my recipe.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-18-10 01:54 PM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE, #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Original message

1. If I need a lot of it, I use a v****e peeler very carefully and get strips of the outer layer of citrus skin. I then finely chop it on a plastic cutting board--the oil tends to penetrate wood.

You're right, the microplane doesn't do a very good job. I've been wondering if a Ped Egg would do better.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #1
 
3. What a great idea! I have a Ped Egg. I'll try it and report back!

Okay.

franksolich has a question.

Before one jumps the gun and says "that's a stupid question, any idiot would know it," remember that franksolich doesn't spend his days watching commercials on television.

What is a "Ped Egg"?

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-18-10 04:15 PM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE, #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Reply #3

9. Definitely report back

that's the first thing I thought of when those first appeared.

After all, at my age I don't give a rip what my feet look like as long as they're still holding me up.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Fri Feb-19-10 08:53 AM
Response to Reply #9
 
17. The Ped Egg does work. I gave up on it because I didn't remember to use it.

I hate it when my feet are dry and a bit cracking. I think it is important as we get older to take really good care of your feet. I gave up coloring and highlighting my hair when I retired and decided to put a little more into pedicures and doesn't cost nearly as much as the coloring regime did...plus it's more relaxing!

cbayer   (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 02:03 PM
THE BAYER ASPIRIN PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

2. I have a small handheld grater that works really well.

I think it is meant for hard cheese, like parmesan, but I can get about a tablespoon of grated lemon or lime skin from each fruit using it.

after which a photograph of a grater with a handle on it

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 02:41 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
4. How long does it take? I use one of those triangular thingies with 3 separate grating sides. I've tried every side to no avail. I'll look for a flat one like you illustrate...

cbayer   (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 02:46 PM
THE BAYER ASPIRIN PRIMITIVE
Response to Reply #4

5. Just a minute of two. The nice thing about the flat one is that the gratings can fall
right into the bowl or pan.

Well, usually if one is competent with a grater, even a grater without a handle, the gratings fall into the bowl anyway.

It's a matter of skill, not a matter of the tool one uses.

surrealAmerican  (1000+ posts)      Thu Feb-18-10 08:11 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
14. I use a similar grater.

It does a pretty good job, so long as the lemon is firm.

MagickMuffin  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-18-10 04:01 PM
THE PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

8. I use this tool
 
after which a couple of photographs of something that look like ice-scrapers for automotive windshields

You just drag the blade along the fruit and it shreds the zest in long strands, then you can chop it up more if so inclined. I usually run mine through the dedicated coffee grinder.

Stinky The Clown  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-18-10 07:10 PM
THE SPARKLING HUSBAND PRIMITIVE, #05 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Original message

13. I use a Microplane. Very fast and efficient.

hippywife  (1000+ posts)        Thu Feb-18-10 09:29 PM
MRS. ALFRED PACKER
Response to Reply #13

15. Ditto. Get a simple microplane.

Works really, really grate.

after which a photograph of something that looks like a miniature elongated grater

radical noodle  (15 posts)      Fri Feb-19-10 10:14 PM
Response to Original message
 
18. In addition to the right zester

I just read in Cook's Illustrated that freezing the lemons or oranges for about 15 minutes makes it easier to grate the zest. I haven't had occasion to try it yet, but if CI says it, I believe it.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Sat Feb-20-10 09:26 AM
Response to Reply #18
 
19. I will try that, too...was wondering if temp had anything to do with it.

Kinda makes sense. When the lemon is colder it would be more brittle and therefore easier to scrape off in tiny pieces...

hippywife  (1000+ posts)        Sat Feb-20-10 10:51 AM
MRS. ALFRED PACKER
Response to Reply #19

20. The only time I have trouble is if the fruit is wet. With a microplane, temp isn't a concern. I actually think freezing it would make it more difficult to use because there would be very little give at all.

[Chris]

Using a PedEgg... on your food.  Gross.  You might as well use your leg razor to butter your toast.

[Celtic Rose]

Frank, a Ped Egg is a device you use to get rid of callouses on your feet.

Do they really have this much trouble zesting a lemon?  Most recipes don't call for that much, and I've never had trouble getting enough zest just by using a microplane zester.

[bijou]

This is a Ped Egg Frank



It grates the hard skin off your feet. There was a long lounge thread about it last year or the year before, but I suspect not too many of the gentlemen posters looked at it.   They do work - on feet - I don't recall anyone suggesting them as a culinary aid.

[kenth]

Holy cow, a multiple use kitchen gadget?

How would you like to be the dinner guest? "Why does my chicken taste like a DU'ers putrid feet?"

[franksolich]

Holy cow, a multiple use kitchen gadget?

How would you like to be the dinner guest? "Why does my chicken taste like a DU'ers putrid feet?"

You know, sir, actually this is a "first."

A cooking and baking primitive discovered that an item can have more than just one use.

[Chris]

I refuse to spend money on a zester.  I've used a serrated bread knife or the teeth of a good steak knife the last few times I needed zest from a piece of fruit.  It works fine and the world didn't come to an end.

[Chris]

It grates the hard skin off your feet. There was a long lounge thread about it last year or the year before, but I suspect not too many of the gentlemen posters looked at it.   They do work - on feet - I don't recall anyone suggesting them as a culinary aid.

I hope they emptied and washed it before they used it on their food.

[bijou]

I hope they emptied and washed it before they used it on their food.

Probably not, they just made extra crunchy lemon muffins.  

[franksolich]

I hope they emptied and washed it before they used it on their food.

These are primitives, remember.

[The Village Idiot]

You know, sir, actually this is a "first."

A cooking and baking primitive discovered that an item can have more than just one use.

 but did it have to go from feet to food? ack

[Ree]

ICK...MAJOR ICK

[The Village Idiot]

primitives are grating. period.

[debk]

Do they really have this much trouble zesting a lemon?  Most recipes don't call for that much, and I've never had trouble getting enough zest just by using a microplane zester.

I was wondering the same thing.....

IF I was having a problem getting lemon zest...regardless of amount....I don't think I would put it out on line. Certainly not out into a group of people who think they are "intellectuals".....

[vesta111]

I was wondering the same thing.....

IF I was having a problem getting lemon zest...regardless of amount....I don't think I would put it out on line. Certainly not out into a group of people who think they are "intellectuals".....

VERY Interesting subject, I received one of these Eggs for Xmas and have never opened the packaging it is in.

I found the gift in the back of my closet, had to use big scissors to get through the plastic wrap, washed it out dried it off and grabbed a lemon.    Son of a gun, the thing works better then the expensive graters and easier to clean.

What else do I have in my home that has a use other then what it is made for.?

I have used a Teflon spatula to clean ice off the windshield of my auto.   
 When I cut my waist length hair I had these very large barrettes expensive and beautiful to hold back drapes in my home.

I lost somehow one shoe, a spike heel red leather beauty and use  the found one  for a planter for ivy, looks great.    I was thinking of turning it into a lamp for a side table.

Where is everyones imagination, we all have closets of stuff that can be converted into other uses.

I have a friend that wears glasses, they did not throw the old ones out, they took the lenses out and made an amazing Chandler out Of the lens that reflected light in around just one light bulb,

Denture tabs will clean plastic food containers from stains and toilets.

If you live on a lake, the kids can use empty gallon milk containers with top glued on to make a raft, to make those expensive planters that grow vegetables upside down. to slow drip water to plants etc.

If one is so incline a nifty silencer can be made for a gun with a 2 liter pop plastic container.

Look around you, a box in the attic of great aunt Nellys crochets doilies if sewed together make a family keep sake bed spread.

One of the more interesting uses I have seen for using empty plastic medicine bottles is to separate change, to build a prymid of the bottles and fill with colored water and back light it.

Imagination and fun, Crater's use everything they can find.

[JohnnyReb]

PED EGG: How liberals prepare "Sole Food".

[debk]

PED EGG: How liberals prepare "Sole Food".

 



 



Hey Vesta.....those denture tablets.....I'm going to try that.

We have a lot of sediment in our water and white toilets and it's difficult to keep them white. I have yet to find any cleaner that I really like.