Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon & Basil
This incredibly fresh side from Alice Waters’ Art of Simple Food II is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Ingredients:
2-3 small zucchini, ends removed
¼ bunch basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Slice the zucchini into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandolin makes this easier, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.)
2. Stack the basil leaves, and cut them thinly crosswise.
3. Layer the squash slices into a shallow dish. Sprinkle each layer with salt, pepper, basil, lemon juice and olive oil. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and serve.
Variations: Try grating the zucchini instead, or use other herbs, like mint, cilantro, or chervil with the basil.
Roasted Italian Zucchini with Crispy Parmesan & Parsley
Tender roasted Italian zucchini gets a golden, garlicky Parmesan crust and a bright finish of parsley and lemon.
Ingredients:
3–4 medium Italian zucchini
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ cup finely grated Parmesan
â…“ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley, plus more for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then cut each half into 3- to 4-inch pieces. Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, until beginning to soften and brown.
3. Meanwhile, combine the Parmesan, panko, garlic, lemon zest and parsley in a small bowl.
4. Remove the zucchini from the oven and generously sprinkle the cut sides with the Parmesan mixture, pressing lightly so it adheres. Return to the oven and roast for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the topping is crisp and golden. For extra crunch, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon just before serving.
Summer Squash Ribbons with Lemon & Mint
This adaptation from a beloved Alice Waters recipe is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Ingredients:
2-3 summer squash, such as Crookneck or Patty Pan
¼ bunch basil
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Slice the summer squash into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandolin makes this easier, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.)
2. Stack the basil leaves, and cut them thinly crosswise.
3. Layer the squash slices into a shallow dish. Sprinkle each layer with salt, pepper, basil, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and serve.
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Zucchini
Brushed with a herb-kissed butter mixture, these zucchini slices pair well with grilled chicken, fish or steak.
Ingredients:
2 medium zucchini, cut diagonally into ½-inch thick slices
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, garlic, parsley and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Brush zucchini slices with butter mixture.
2. Heat a grill to medium-high. Add zucchini in a single layer and grill until lightly charred on both sides and just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes per side. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and salt and pepper, if desired.
Preserved Meyer Lemons
Toss these preserved beauties with roasted fingerling potatoes, or whisk the pulp into a salad dressing or a Bloody Mary.
Ingredients:
6 Meyer lemons
â…“ cup kosher salt
â…” cup fresh lemon juice
Method:
1. Scrub lemons and dry well. Quarter lemons lengthwise.
2. Toss the lemon wedges with the salt in a bowl and transfer to a sterile 4-cup glass jar. Use a wooden spoon to press the lemons to fit. Add lemon juice and any remaining salt that might be left in the bowl. Seal jar tightly and shake to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 3 days, shaking jar each day. Transfer to the refrigerator for 3 weeks or until rinds are soft. Rinse before using.
Whipped Garden Herb Crème Fraîche with Grilled Bread
This simple spread makes an effortless summer appetizer: serve it with slices of grilled fig and walnut sourdough, then top with juicy tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and flaky sea salt.
Ingredients:
1 cup Bellsong crème fraîche
2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
New Day Baking Fig & Walnut Sourdough, sliced
Optional for serving: sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, flaky sea salt
Method:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the crème fraîche, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Stir until smooth and well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Brush slices of fig and walnut sourdough lightly with olive oil and grill over medium heat until lightly charred and crisp on both sides, about 1–2 minutes per side.
3. Spread the whipped herbed crème fraîche generously over the warm grilled bread. Top with sliced tomatoes and basil, if desired, then finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately.
Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
Fantastic drizzled over salad greens or this week’s rainbow Swiss chard.
Ingredients:
Lemon rind of one preserved lemon
2 cloves garlic, grated
â…“ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
1 cup high-quality extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Remove one preserved lemon from the jar and rinse it under the cold water tap. Pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Place the lemon on a cutting board and cut it into quarters. With a teaspoon scrape the flesh from each section of the lemon. (Return the scraped flesh to the jar of lemons for future use.) Cut the lemon rind into smaller pieces and place in the blender/processor.
3. Add the grated garlic, lemon juice, honey and the white balsamic vinegar. Process for 1 minute. Drizzle the oil into the processor and blend the mixture for another 1-2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
4. Taste and season with a pinch of pepper. Transfer the vinaigrette to a glass jar or bottle with a lid and refrigerate until needed
Lemon Risotto
This risotto showcases bright lemon flavors—just remember to keep stirring!
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
8 tablespoons butter
4 cups warm chicken stock
½ cup white wine
½ shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic (if desired)
1¼ cups grated Grana-style cheese
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
½ cup preserved Meyer lemons (see recipe), drained and chopped
Method:
1. In a sauce pan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the garlic and shallot until soft but not brown.
2. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring; repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
3. Stir in the remaining butter and grated Grana-style cheese until melted. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest and season liberally with salt and pepper to taste. Top each serving with preserved lemons and parsley, then serve immediately.
Variation: This risotto is wonderful topped with radishes sautéed in butter with garlic, spinach, kale and pea shoots!
Shaved Turnip & Pea Shoot Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
This salad celebrates the fresh flavors of spring with crisp turnips, tender pea shoots, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
3-4 medium-sized turnips, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups fresh pea shoots
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
For the Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette – olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced turnips, fresh pea shoots, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint leaves, and chopped parsley.
3. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.