Three-layer cranberry cheese bars with a buttery oat crumble crust, tangy cream cheese filling, and whole berry cranberry sauce on top. Makes 24 bars for holiday baking trays.
Chilled raspberry bisque, a cold fruit soup made with fresh raspberries stirred into a butter-flour cream sauce with lemon juice. Elegant and refreshing.
Corn salsa with diced tomato, hot chilies, cilantro, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. A 10-minute no-cook salsa that doubles as a dip for chips or a topping for grilled chicken and fish tacos.
Pasta in almond garlic sauce blends blanched almonds, raw garlic, and parmigiano-reggiano into a silky, dairy-light coat for cavatappi. Fresh basil, mint, and a squeeze of lemon keep it bright.
Fresh peaches macerated in white wine, port, sweet vermouth, citrus juice, and sugar. An elegant Italian-style no-cook fruit dessert served chilled in glass cups.
Low-calorie chicken stir-fry marinated in soy sauce, lemon juice, and sesame oil, then tossed with garlic and fragrant tarragon. Light, bright, and on the table in under an hour.
Cajun-style guacamole with crumbled feta, Creole mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and white wine vinegar. Not your standard guac, this one has a Louisiana kick.
A quick no-cook lunch: canned tuna, white beans, and peppery arugula tossed in a lemon-garlic dressing, stuffed into whole wheat pitas with red onion. Ready in 15 minutes.
Red wine apple pie with a cheddar cheese crust. Tart apples simmered in sweet red wine and lemon juice in a flaky, savory-sweet pastry shell.
Indian-spiced chicken soup with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and whole peppercorns. Chicken breast simmered with potatoes, tomatoes, and fresh cilantro, finished with lemon.
frozen dessert
No-bake cream cheese pie with sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a graham cracker crust, topped with canned cherries. Makes two pies with minimal effort.
French-style steak salad with grilled flank steak, lemon-sauteed mushrooms, and red onion marinated in a herb vinaigrette with chervil, basil, and thyme.
Upside-down apple pie with a caramelized pecan or walnut topping, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a single fluted pastry crust. Flip it onto a plate for a stunning presentation.
Greek-style marinated mushrooms in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, made quickly in the microwave. Chilled for 24 hours for a tangy, herbaceous cold appetizer or meze.
Lemony cheesecake on a cinnamon-graham crust: a tangy lemon cream cheese filling under a layer of sour cream, all crowned with a glossy lemon glaze. A triple-lemon baked cheesecake that's bright, creamy, and rich.