When I think of summer, I imagine myself rocking on a front porch listening to ocean waves and drinking lemonade. I don’t think that particular fantasy has ever actually happened, but regardless, my association between the long, lazy days of summer and lemons is strong.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve tried all of the lemon recipes I’d been hoarding during the winter months. Because of the pandemic, our local supply of lemons has been limited, which makes me cherish them even more. The following recipes are by far the best I’ve tried this summer…maybe the best I’ve ever tried.
- Camille Style’s Lemon Ricotta Poundcake. The presentation of this cake is simple and rustic, but with a little bit of summer flair. Whatever you do, don’t skip the candied lemon slices. They absolutely make the cake. Make this cake as a hostess gift, to welcome new neighbors or to celebrate Mother’s Day.
- Yotam Ottolenghi’s Blueberry, Almond and Lemon Cake. Trust me, you will not make this cake just once. It’s incredibly versatile…perfect for brunch, an afternoon snack or after dinner with coffee. If you don’t have almond flour, get creative; I substituted it for cornmeal instead.
- Sunday Morning Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes. The first time I ever heard of lemon poppy seed pancakes was at Saint Michael’s Alley in Palo Alto, Calif. The restaurant offered them as a special breakfast item, and once I tried them, I ordered off menu every time I went for brunch. It dawned on me years later that I’m actually quite capable of making pancakes at home, even flavored ones. Serve these with fresh blueberries and powdered sugar. They’re always a hit.