Can dried orange peel be substituted for...?

Question

Can dried orange peel be substituted for orange zest if the peel is ground very fine in a magic bullet? I was thinking of using it that way in a cake, but don't want to mess up the flavor. What concerns me is that the rind part of the peel is dried as well as the outer part. Could it be bitter? What do y'all think? I have never used dried orange peel before.

Answer 1

I'd be concerned about the white part (the pith) also with the dried orange peel. All I can suggest is rehydrate a small piece in a tablespoon of hot water. Let it sit for awhile until it's soft and then taste it. If it's bitter, don't use it in the cake.

Answer 2

Can you take a knife and gently scrape the peel. It would require light, gentle strokes and you would have to be very careful. If that won't work, then by all mean rehydrate the peel. That is your best bet. BTW: if you can gently scrape any of the zest off, you will not need as much as the recipe calls for as dried foods have more condensed flavor.

Answer 3

The dry stuff from the spice aisle will work fine in a baked cake. No need to "magic bullet" it. Use 1/3 the amt of dry peel as called for in the recipe for fresh. Dry is 3x stronger than fresh.



I wouldn't use it in an icing or for garnish, however.

Answer 4

Yes it can be subbed. You should rehydrate it first. You can quickly do that by sticking the dried peel into some liquid and popping it in the microwave for a few seconds or put it on the stove for a small simmer. You could also put it in some liqueur until it is soft. Then pat it dry and zap it in the chopper.

Answer 5

the white part of an orange is extreamly bitter and if ground it will not have a good taste fry taking a zester to the out side of the dried peel

Answer 6

Sure, I think it would be fine. The white part doesn't have much taste anyway, and I don't think it would be any more bitter than plain orange zest would be.

Answer 7

Orange zest is usually in a minute amount, but maybe it'll work. Probably won't change the flavor much.

Answer 8

why don't you bake a little of the cake batter with that lemon dried orange peel and taste it... should bake quickly

Answer 9

You're right. It might be bitter. Grind it up and taste it. If it tastes good, use it. If it is bitter, don't. You don't have any Orange Extract?

Answer 10

if u have a bit of OJ to mix up in it it may work better, just enough to moisten it after u bullet it then let it set a few minutes or so

Answer 11

Yes you can substitute.