Vibrant Moroccan Sauce: Chermoula Dressing Recipe

Vibrant Moroccan Sauce: Chermoula Dressing Recipe

Spice Up Your Grilled Dishes with a Preserved Lemon Marinade

Whisk up a zesty marinade to elevate your meats, poultry, fish, and veggies for that perfect grill or roast. Bonus: Serve extra on the side!

What to Buy:

• Scour gourmet grocery stores or online at igourmet.com for preserved lemons. In a pinch, utilize 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest or whip up your own.
• Yields: 1 cup
• Difficulty: A breeze
• Total Time: Under 10 minutes
• Active Time: Under 10 minutes

Ingredients (9)

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 2 teaspoons hot paprika
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 preserved lemon, just the rind, finely minced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Unleash the Flavors:

1. Blend the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and garlic until silky smooth.
2. Add sweet and hot paprika, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until it all combines.
3. Toss in the preserved-lemon rind and cilantro, blending briefly until the goodness is combined.

Preserved Lemon Marinade: The DIY Shortcut

In a bind without preserved lemons? Try this quick fix:

• Ingredients:
• Preserved lemon peel (2 tablespoons, finely chopped) (see Homemade Preserved Lemons below)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme

Instructions:

1. Mix Marinade Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the chopped preserved lemon peel, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add Herbs (Optional): If using fresh herbs, fold them into the marinade.
3. Adjust to Taste: Tweak the marinade's sweetness or acidity by adding more honey or lemon juice.
4. Marinate: Place your protein (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) in a shallow dish or a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over it, ensuring it coats the protein evenly.
5. Refrigerate: Let it marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for optimum flavor.
6. Grill or Roast: Remove the protein from the marinade and cook as desired.

Homemade Preserved Lemons: A Sensational Swap

No preserved lemons on hand? No worries! Here's an easy method:

1. Ingredients for Preserved Lemons:
2. 6-8 whole lemons
3. 4-5 tablespoons salt
4. Quart jar
5. Clean utensils
6. Clean the Jar and Lemons: Clean the jar and lemons. Rinse and pat dry the lemons.
7. Prepare Lemons: Slice the ends off the lemons to form flat surfaces. Stand each lemon upright and make a cut in the form of an "X," stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom.
8. Add Salt: Pour 1/2 tablespoon of salt into each lemon.
9. Pack Lemons: Pack the lemons tightly into the jar, adding more salt between layers if quartering them.
10. Add Liquid: Ensure the lemons are submerged in juice; add fresh lemon juice if necessary.
11. Store: Seal and store in a cool, dry place for a week, shaking occasionally, then refrigerate for at least one week until the peels are translucent and ready to use.

This marinade combines the bite of preserved lemons with the herbal richness of olive oil and the zing of fresh lemon juice, taking your grilled or roasted dishes to new heights.

1. To create a quick DIY substitute for preserved lemons, combine 2 tablespoons of finely chopped preserved lemon peel, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper in a small bowl.
2. The Preserved Lemon Marinade recipe yields 1 cup of the zesty marinade ideal for enhancing the flavor of meats, poultry, fish, veggies, and serves as an excellent side option.
3. By following the Instructions for Homemade Preserved Lemons, you can make your own preserved lemons and enjoy the benefits of this versatile ingredient in your various recipes, including the Preserved Lemon Marinade.

Read also: