Share

The healthiest condiment you've never heard of

accreditation

If you're looking for a way to liven up your dishes with a great tasting, low-calorie condiment, zesty gremolata is for you.

Gremolata is an Italian chopped herb mix and, as exotic as it sounds, it takes just three ingredients to make: lemon zest, parsley and garlic. It's full of flavour but has hardly any calories, and it's naturally fat- and salt-free.

You can mix up a batch and then use it as a delicious accompaniment to grilled meats and fish instead butter- or oil-based sauces. Or toss it with pasta for an alternative to tomato sauce. It makes an especially tasty way to flavour mushrooms for a very healthy side dish.

Basic gremolata

  • 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Use a vegetable peeler to remove yellow zest from the lemon, being careful not to get any of the bitter white pith layer. Mince the peel and transfer it to small bowl. Note: If you have a microplane grater, you can use it instead to make the zest.

Add the parsley and garlic. Store for up to five days in the fridge. As an accompaniment to a protein, this makes enough for two servings. Multiply the ingredients as needed.

Mushrooms With gremolata

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound mushrooms, such as button or cremini
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 batch gremolata

Warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the mushrooms. Cook five to six minutes until mushrooms begin to brown and become tender. Add salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and add gremolata. Toss and serve.

Yield: 2 side-dish servings

Image credit: iStock

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE