Lemon Pepper Recipes

HOMEMADE LEMON-PEPPER SEASONING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Wash and dry the lemons. Peel away the zest from both lemons using a vegetable peeler, making sure not to get any of the pith. Spread out peels in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the peels have curled up and dried, about 30 minutes. Turn off oven and allow lemon peels to cool inside turned off oven, propping the door open with a wooden spoon to allow moisture to escape, about 20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
• Combine dried lemon peels and peppercorns in a food processor fitted with a blade. Blend until coarse. Add dehydrated garlic and onion. Blend until fine and thoroughly combined.
• Remove and allow to rest for a few hours before using so flavors can meld.

LEMON PEPPER

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 170F, or your oven's lowest heat setting.*
• Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Spread the mixture out on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the lemon zest is completely dried out.
• Transfer the lemon pepper to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

LEMON PEPPER TENDERLOIN PASTA

Steps:

• For the lemon pepper seasoning: Mix the lemon zest, pepper, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder and onion powder in a bowl. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini and cook for 1 to 2 minutes under the recommended time. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the tenderloin with 1 tablespoon of the lemon pepper seasoning. Add the steak to the skillet and cook, stirring as needed, until desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Remove to a plate and return the skillet to the heat.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Add the remaining lemon pepper seasoning, the pasta and remaining 6 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the pasta start to simmer. Begin adding the Parmesan a handful at a time, tossing the pasta with each addition. Remove from the heat and continue to toss the pasta until well coated, thinning with the extra pasta water if needed. Divide the pasta into bowls. Top with the steak and garnish with the parsley. Serve with more Parmesan on the side.

LEMON-PEPPER FRIES

Steps:

• Peel and rinse the potatoes. Slice them lengthwise into thin slices, and then into thin sticks. Place the potato sticks in a bowl and cover them with cold water. Swish them around, then pour off the water and replace it with fresh water. Swish them around again and pour off the water, then cover with fresh water and let soak for 2 to 3 hours.
• Make the seasoning: Mix the pepper, lemon zest, salt, garlic powder, mustard powder and onion powder in a large bowl and set aside.
• When you're ready to make the fries, heat about 3 inches of oil in a heavy pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 300 degrees F.
• Drain the potatoes and lay them out on baking sheets lined with paper towels. Blot them with more paper towels to dry. Carefully drop half of the fries into the oil and cook until they start to soften, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on fresh paper towels. Repeat with the remaining fries.
• Increase the oil temperature to 400 degrees F. Fry the potatoes in two batches again until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 5 minutes, returning the oil to 400 degrees F between batches. Remove the fries from the oil, add to the bowl with the seasoning and toss to coat. When all the fries are cooked, toss with the parsley.

HOMEMADE LEMON PEPPER SEASONING

Steps:

• Preheat toaster oven to lowest setting.
• In a large bowl, combine lemon zest and black pepper. Cover metal pan fitted for toaster oven with foil and spread mixture evenly in pan. Allow to bake low and slow until zest is completely dried. Mine took about 26-30 minutes.
• Transfer lemon-pepper mixture to a bowl. Using the back of a spoon (or spice grinder if you have one), crush mixture until desired texture is achieved. Mix in salt, 1 tsp at a time. Continue to add salt until you have the right balance to fit your taste.
• Notes.
• Depending on size of lemons, you may need more lemons.
• If you want more of a lemon taste, reduce pepper or add more lemon zest.
• Seasoning may be kept in an air tight container for a few months.

LEMON PEPPER MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients in a large glass bowl. Add your meat of choice (1 lb boneless or 2 lb bone-in). Stir to incorporate, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours (if using any type of seafood only marinate for 30 minutes).

LEMON PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• Sprinkle steaks with lemon-pepper. Broil in a preheated broiler 3-4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the steaks reach desired doneness.