From Garden to Kitchen: Liquid Lemon Gold

How to make Lemon Myrtle Infused Olive Oil at home.

I love to use produce from my garden and Lemon Myrtle is one of my favourite trees. I don’t need any more reasons to justify its existence in a food forest but recently I discovered a new use and now it’s a staple in my kitchen! I use it whenever I need oil for chicken or fish dishes.

Here’s some of the other ways that I already use Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citrodora):

• To attract birds, bees and beneficial insects to my garden.
• As a feature plant and in future years as a small shade tree. The roots are not invasive and it doesn’t drop leaves.
• Substitute for bay leaves in cooking. (Lovely in a tuna bake!)
• Stuff leaves into chicken before roasting and season the skin with dried powder, salt and pepper.
• Bruise the leaves and add to drinks instead of lemon or lime wedges.
• Dry and use the powder in shortbread, cupcakes or frosting.
• Pour boiling water over the leaves to make a refreshing tea to drink hot or cold.
• Leave some bruised leaves in vanilla or natural yoghurt overnight to impart a lovely lemon flavour.
• Chew a leaf to help with cold or flu symptoms.

So, what’s new?

The new idea is using Lemon Myrtle to create an infused olive oil for fish and chicken dishes! It’s quite simple.

• Collect enough leaves to fill your bottle to about half its capacity. In my case I reused a 250ml Maple Syrup bottle and collected about half a cup (125ml) of Lemon Myrtle leaves.
• Wash the leaves thoroughly.
• Bruise the leaves to release the oil. I crushed mine in my hand and then finished the job with a mortar and pestle.
• Push the leaves into the bottle.
• Top up the bottle with a good quality extra virgin olive oil. I buy an Australian brand in bulk.
• Leave it to infuse for 2 weeks or a month.
• Strain the leaves and store in a cool, dry, dark place.
• Substitute for oil in fish and chicken recipes.

After experimenting with the oil in my kitchen and LOVING it I made it again. My personal favourite use is for frying homemade chicken nuggets or fish with a panko crumb. The crunchy panko breadcrumbs and the touch of lemon perfectly complements the two white meats. I have also just published a recipe for my Chicken Nuggets with Lemon Myrtle that includes using the oil and dried leaves.

This article was published previously on the Jane Grows Garden Rooms Blog.