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.
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
⅓ cup kosher salt
⅔ 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.
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
⅓ 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
Fennel & Lemon Relish
This crisp slaw from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food II is excellent tossed with roasted vegetables, or even served as part of a charcuterie board.
Ingredients:
2 lemons
2-3 fennel bulbs
1 shallot
2-3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
- Using a box grater or rasp, zest both lemons, then reserve the zest and fruit.
- Peel and finely dice the shallot. Place shallot in a small bowl with the lemon zest, juice of 1 lemon, Champagne vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to macerate. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil. Taste for salt and acid and adjust as needed.
- Trim the fronds and dark green stalks from the fennel bulb. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and then into a fine dice. Toss with salt to taste and stir into the lemon-shallot mixture. Remove all the remaining peel from the remaining lemon and cut the segments from their membranes. Cut segments into a medium dice and gently stir them into the relish. Let relish sit for 5 minutes before serving.
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!
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Honey & Meyer Lemon
Break out the barbecue for these flavorful cauliflower “steaks”!
Ingredients:
2 large heads cauliflower
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 Meyer lemons, zested and juiced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
Lemon wedges, for serving
Method:
1. Remove the outer leaves from each cauliflower head, then cut off the bottom stem end so that you create a flat base and can stand the cauliflower up on a cutting board. Resting the cauliflower on the stem, use a large, sharp knife to trim away the sides, then cut the remaining head into 2 very thick or 3 more moderate “steaks.”. In a small bowl, stir together the lemon zest and lemon juice, garlic, and honey.
2. Heat a grill to medium (about 350°). Brush one side of each cauliflower steak with the lemon–olive oil mixture and then sprinkle the brushed sides with half of the salt. Place the salted side down on the hot grill, then brush the tops of the steaks with the olive oil mixture and season with the remaining salt.
3. Cover the grill and let cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the bottom is beginning to char. Flip the cauliflower, then re-cover the grill and cook 5 additional minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Remove from the grill. Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes, parsley, and walnuts. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Fennel & Lemon Relish
This crisp slaw from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food II is excellent tossed with grilled veggies.
Ingredients:
2 lemons
2-3 fennel bulbs
1 shallot
2-3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Using a box grater or rasp, zest both lemons, then reserve the zest and fruit.
2. Peel and finely dice the shallot. Place shallot in a small bowl with the lemon zest, juice of 1 lemon, Champagne vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to macerate. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil. Taste for salt and acid and adjust as needed.
3. Trim the fronds and dark green stalks from the fennel bulb. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and then into a fine dice. Toss with salt to taste and stir into the lemon-shallot mixture. Remove all the remaining peel from the unjuiced lemon and cut the segments from their membranes. Cut segments into a medium dice and gently stir them into the relish. Let relish sit for 5 minutes before serving.