When Life Gives You Lemons: 7 Lovely Citrusy Recipes For Summer

The humble lemon is one of the most versatile ingredients there is. It lends itself to a pleasingly sharp tang, a freshening lightness of touch or a twist of sweetness, depending on the culinary context (so many uses has it that the inimitable Gennaro Contaldo wrote a whole book dedicated to the fruit). We would never be without one of these sunshine-steeped beauties rolling about our fruit bowl for lemon-based emergencies – whether to adorn a G&T or to transform a tuna sandwich from pedestrian to perfection. We love how it goes with everything from seafood to chicken to pasta to cake – here are our all-time favourites lemon dishes for a sharp shot of summer.

Lemon Tagliatelle

Gennaro Contaldo

Even if you never make the lemon tagliatelle Gennaro demonstrates in this video, it’s worth watching for the moving evocation of his long friendship with the late Antonio Carluccio. Still, you really *should* make the recipe because, as he says, it is very simple and also sublimely rewarding. Carluccio was born on the Amalfi coast, home of the best lemons in the world, so it’s little wonder that this was one of his favourite dishes. It articulates the beauty of Italian cooking so eloquently: it’s all about good honest food made simply and lovingly with good ingredients. Lemon, garlic and a little kick of chilli: whatever could be nicer on a warm day, glass of chilled wine in hand?

Baked Lemon Chicken

Olive Magazine


This aromatic and delicious dish is one to keep up your sleeve no matter the season. The lemony freshness makes it lovely in the summer, while the creamy richness and rosemary means it works well in the winter too. Perfect crispy skin gives way to tender meat beneath – all of which is ideal served with orzo or rice and washed down with a crisp white wine in the evening sun. Cook it.

Fresh Pea & Lemon Cous Cous

Delicious


Sandwiches may be classic on picnics, but we always love a fresh alternative too. Are there any flavours more evocative of summer than those of mint, spring onion, garden peas and lemon? We think not Plus, as they say, this takes just five minutes to prepare and transports well in a Kilner jar. (Of course, it is equally delicious made and consumed at home too.) Cook it.

Preserved Lemon Dip

Olive Magazine


It is, once again, the season of little summer drinks get-togethers, ideally conducted in the garden. Nothing goes down as well with seasonal cocktails or glasses of light white wine as a good dip – and we especially love this one made with moscatel vinegar, preserved lemon, peas and cumin, and topped with ricotta. Serve with bread or tortilla chips. Summer in a bite. Cook it.

Baked Fish With Lemon Garlic Butter

The Endless Meal


It’s ready in twenty minutes, it’s super healthy and it’s all suffused with lemon. What could possibly be better? The extra good news is that this recipe is totally versatile too; you can choose your favourite white fish, and add in the seasoning that you like best, from paprika to dill to thyme. They suggest serving with broccoli or mashed potato. We’d also include garlicky green beans in the mix too, and possibly swap out the mash for crushed roasted new potatoes with black olives. Any which way, it’ll be dreamy. Cook it.

Scented Citrus Cake

Nigella


We cannot overstate how perfect this cake is. Nigella first made it as a gluten-free concession for a friend. But there is nothing second best about this concoction, which is moist, aromatic and fragrant. Citrus heaven, we’d just as happily take it with the icing as without. Cook it.

Sicilian Lemon Cream

Great British Chefs/ Ben Tish


A ‘simple yet devastatingly effective pudding’ is how Great British Chefs describes this dinner party showstopper. Set lemon creams with berries that have been stewed in red wine and honey: if this not be the ambrosia of the gods, we don’t know what is.
Recipe taken from Sicilia by Ben Tish (photography by Kris Kirkham). Published by Bloomsbury Absolute, £26.

By Nancy Alsop
May 2023