Citrus Scented Sugar Food

CITRUS SHORTBREADS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 12 1/2-inch baking sheet pan, line with parchment paper, and butter the paper.
• Finely grate the skin (zest) off all 3 clementines, making sure you peel only the orange skin and not the bitter white pith. Puree the zest with 1/4 cup of the sugar in a food processor until minced, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Whisk the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar on medium, until light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Add the clementine-sugar mixture and beat for another minute. While mixing on low speed, add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overwork the dough. Transfer dough to prepared pan, spreading it out as evenly as possible. Cover with plastic wrap, then press and flatten using your hands over the top to smooth and even out the dough. Cut the dough into bars about 1 by 3 inches with a sharp knife, while still in the pan. Prick a decorative pattern in the shortbreads with a fork or a wooden skewer. Bake until golden, about 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes and then re-cut the bars along the previous cuts. Let cool completely on racks. Store the cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
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CITRUS-SCENTED SUGAR

Steps:

• Fill jars with sugar to a depth of 1/2-inch. Add some of the citrus peel then cover with another layer of sugar. Continue in this way, ending with the sugar about 1/4-inch from the top of the jar. Replace lid. Allow to sit for a few days so the citrus flavor infuses the sugar.

CITRUS-BLOSSOM GIN FIZZ

Steps:

• For syrup:
• Mix 2 cups water, sugar, and lemon verbena, if desired, in medium saucepan. Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (colored part) from orange and lemon; add peel to saucepan. Bring sugar mixture to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in orange-flower water. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For drinks:
• Combine 6 tablespoons syrup, 3 cups ice, 1/4 cup gin, 1/4 cup cream, 2 egg whites, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in blender. Blend until smooth and foamy. Divide among 4 glasses. Repeat with 6 tablespoons syrup and remaining ice, gin, cream, egg whites, and juice. Sprinkle drinks with nutmeg; garnish with lemon verbena sprigs, if desired.
• **Market tip:**Lemon verbena is sold at nurseries and some farmers' markets. *A flavoring extract; available in the liquor aisle or baking section of some supermarkets and at liquor stores.

LEMON SUGAR

Steps:

• Using a citrus zester, remove the zest. (Alternatively, using a paring knife or a vegetable peeler, remove the zest; then scrape as much of the bitter white pith off it as possible.) Roughly chop zest; transfer to a food processor, and add 1 cup sugar. Pulse until zest has been finely ground, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the ground mixture to a medium bowl. Add remaining cup sugar, and toss until evenly mixed.
• Spread the lemon sugar on a baking pan, and let sit at room temperature until dry, about 1 hour.

CITRUS-SCENTED SUGAR

Steps:

• Fill jars with sugar to a depth of 1/2-inch.
• Add some of the citrus peel, then cover with another layer of sugar.
• Continue in this way, ending with the sugar about 1/4-inch from the top of the jar.
• Replace lid.
• Allow to sit for a few days so the citrus flavor infuses the sugar.

SCENTED GERANIUM SUGAR

Steps:

• Put a 1-inch layer down of sugar (1/2 cup of sugar) in a container.
• Cover with a layer of leaves (your choice of flavors).
• Top with another 1 inch layer of sugar (1/2 cup of sugar). Leave for a week to create scented sugar.