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Cuisine Marrakech

Moroccan · Preserves

Preserved Lemon Paste

Blending whole preserved lemons, rind and all, into a smooth paste makes it far easier to stir into marinades, dressings and sauces than chopping the rind by hand each time, a practical pantry staple built from the classic preserve.

Prep
10 min
Cook
0 min
Total
10 min
Serves
12
Level
Easy
Preserved Lemon Paste

Ingredients

  • 3 preserved lemons, seeds removed
  • 2 tbsp of their brine
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. 1

    Remove seeds

    Cut the preserved lemons open and remove any seeds, keeping the rind and pulp.

  2. 2

    Blend

    Blend the lemons with their brine and olive oil into a smooth, spoonable paste.

  3. 3

    Store

    Transfer to a clean jar and top with a little extra oil to seal.

Chef's tips

  • Taste before adding salt to any dish using this paste — preserved lemon is already quite salty on its own.
  • A spoonful of this paste stirred into a simple vinaigrette makes a quick Moroccan-style salad dressing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the paste keep?

Refrigerated with an oil seal on top, it keeps for about a month.