Bring a little sunshine to your New England table! I've gathered my favorite Lemon Recipes, from-scratch recipes for everything from cozy salads to sweet desserts. Dishes to chase the clouds away!
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Why, oh why do lemons get a bad rep? We give their name to defective cars. Compare less-than-favorable life occurrences to lemons! It's even suggested that folks who are bugging us ought to go and suck on one. It just doesn't make sense, because lemons are wonderful!
And to prove it, I've gathered up my favorite Bright and Tangy Lemon Recipes. These recipes made with real lemon juice and lemon zest bring so much sunshine to the table. There are sweet buns, salads, roast chicken, and even ice cream!
In a nutshell... 🐿️
- What this is: A bright and cheery collection of my favorite lemon recipes. They're sure to bring some sunshine to your New England table!
- You'll love this part: Straight-forward, from-scratch recipes for dishes like crisp salads, a savory roast chicken, and creamy icebox desserts.
- How it's made: Browse through my recipe box of lemon recipes. Tap on the links to see complete directions and ingredients lists. Bookmark and save your favorites!
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Why New Englanders turn to lemon to find the sunshine
If you've never experienced summertime in New England, you simply must—it's such a beautiful, busy, and sunny season in our neck of the woods! We can reliably count on warm days from late May into June, hot and humid days through July, and sweltering, almost unbearably sticky days from August through September.
New Englanders spend these months doing absolutely everything we can outside to make the most of every sunny moment: jumping into swimming holes, sailing on the lakes, hiking through the woods, and visiting beaches to bravely dunk our bodies into icy ocean water. Coaxing flowers, vegetables, and berries from the gardens, mowing the grass and fixing up things around the yard. Driving to snack bars, ice cream stands, and hot dog joints. And of course, throwing backyard cookouts, and gathering with friends on the deck with cold drinks in hand.
That leaves the other seven to eight months, when the sunshine may play hard to get, and getting some may mean venturing out into the frigid air! When we can't get our dose of vitamin D the solar way, indulging in lemony dishes is a mighty fine substitute.
That bright, citrusy flavor and sunny color brings so much cheer! Lemon feels light, tangy, and alive, especially in January after we've over-indulged in holiday feasts. And in April when it feels like spring is finally, truly, right around the corner, and we're ready to eat lighter, brighter-tasting dishes.
Lemons may not grow in New England, but the winter would sure feel a whole lot longer without them!
Stay cool!
No-Bake Summer Desserts
My collections has no-bake recipes like pies, fruit desserts, and thick milkshakes!
Why you'll love these Lemon Recipes
Whenever you need a little sunshine, no matter what time of the year, you can find it in the lemony flavors in these recipes!
Fresh lemons bring brightness and zing to my recipes like sweet breakfast folls, fresh salads, and even a roast chicken. These dishes are perfect for sharing with your family, or to make the next time friends are coming over. The recipes are straight-forward and use easy-to-find ingredients; that way, you can make them from scratch and still have time to get out of the kitchen and relax with everyone.
Find your citrus inspiration here!
Lemon Recipe FAQs
It's worth buying an inexpensive Microplane grater or zesting tool, for lemons and also for lime, orange, and grapefruit zesting. These tools have a metal surface with tiny sharp teeth that remove the zest from the lemon peels.
Hold the lemon in one hand and the zester in the other. Glide the sharp teeth of the zester over the surface to remove the zest; it will accumulate on the top of your zesting tool so you can see how much you have. Rotate the lemon as you go to zest the whole surface.
Be sure to only remove the thin layer of yellow zest at the surface; not the bitter-tasting white pith below it.
Freshly-squeezed lemon juice has a brighter flavor than bottled, so it's worth doing for these lemon recipes. An easy way is to use a juicing tool, bowl-style juicer, or handheld reamer, with a cone-shaped center that you press into the cut side of half a lemon. Twist it to release all the juice into a bowl or glass measuring cup.
Another way is to use a fork to dig at the cut side of the lemon, breaking up the pulp. You can then squeeze the halves with your hands to get all the juice out.
To juice a lemon with no tools, roll it well on the counter, pressing down to soften it up. Then slice it in half and squeeze them with your hands to released the juice.
Before using the lemon juice, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer, to remove the seeds and large pieces of pulp.
Your freshly-squeezed lemon juice should be stored in a sealed bottle or container in the fridge. It will last for up to two weeks, but for the best flavor use it within a few days of squeezing.
Lemon Recipes 🍋
Here are my favorite lemon recipes, organized by salads, supper, drinks, and desserts. Tap on the links to see the full recipe, plus lots of helpful tips!
Lemon Salad Recipes
Cucumber Radish Salad
These colorful veggies come to life when tossed with a lemony, lightly spicy vinaigrette.
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
Along with a fresh lemon dressing, this vibrant salad is loaded with crisp asparagus, basil, and crumbles of goat cheese.
Kohlrabi Slaw
Turn hearty root vegetables into a crisp slaw, dressed with a zingy lemon and maple syrup dressing. I love how colorful this salad it!
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A Lemon Supper Recipe
Chimichurri Chicken
Traditional chimichurri sauce is herby and garlicky; mine is extra bright with the addition of fresh lemon juice. This marinade makes the most delectable roast chicken with red potatoes.
Lemon Drink Recipes
Lemon Margarita
Limoncello makes the most refreshing twist on a classic margarita. I love this drink in the summertime, but also for springtime brunches and Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Maple Gin Hot Toddy
On cold days, this drink will cure what ails you! Lemon juice and gin are warming and restorative. Sweeten it with real maple syrup, like Runamok's Sparkle Syrup.
Lemon Dessert Recipes
Lemon Cream Puffs
The choux pastry for cream puffs is easier to make than you might think! The baked, airy puffs are filled with a sweet lemon cream.
Lemon No-Churn Ice Cream
You don't need an ice cream machine, just your freezer! Lemon and vanilla are one of my favorite pairings. This easy lemon dessert is topped with maple syrup-soaked blueberries.
Iced Lemon Rolls
Make these lemon baked goods for breakfast, coffee time, or dessert. The soft rolls are filled with fresh lemon and aromatic cardamom, and topped with a thick, sweet icing.
Lemon Icebox Pie
A lovely spring dessert, and also a refreshingly different pie to make for Thanksgiving! It's a no-bake pie made with lemon pudding and a little lavender for a hint of floral flavor.
Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Strawberry Jam
My tender butter cookies hold a filling of lemon buttercream and strawberry jam. They're one of my family's favorite desserts.
Lemon Coconut Cake
Not your average coconut cake! This tender layer cake includes a bright lemon syrup and lemon marmalade. It's a lovely dessert for Easter and other springtime get-togethers.
Enjoy the recipes—and be happy when life gives you lemons!
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