lemon

Since blueberry season has begun, I couldn't help but go overboard and buy several baskets from my local farmers market. While I enjoyed one basket raw, I used the rest to make these mini blueberry shortcakes with lemon and thyme biscuits.

The moist biscuits are simple to make. The final dish is not too sweet, so the pure flavor of blueberries shines through in each bite. Although the original recipe calls for a larger biscuit, I decided to use a shot glass (instead of a cookie cutter) to make them mini. The shortcakes are delicious with a dollop of heavy cream or scoop of ice cream. To try these bite-sized blueberry shortcakes, read more

Take a trip to the the streets of Buenos Aires with this quick grilled meal. Chimichurri is a wildly popular herb and oil condiment native to South America. Argentinians enjoy the simple sauce on everything from steak to grilled cheese. Here, it tops succulent charred chicken. The dish is finished off with green beans — they provide a snappy crunch — and fresh lemon juice adds a delightful tartness. To tantalize your taste buds with this uncomplicated yet rewarding meal, read more

With flowers in full bloom and windows wide open to let in the breeze, it's hard to imagine your home not smelling nice in the Summer. But, every room can get a little musty sometimes— or stale with the scent of last night's curry dinner. To curb the smell, slice up about six lemons and toss them in pot of water with a tablespoon or two of cloves. Then, just let them simmer for a few hours and your home will soon feel as refreshing as a nice, cold glass of lemonade.
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• Semi homemade be gone: Sandra Lee gets a seasonal fresh-ingredient makeover. — Eat Me Daily
• Mustard manufacturer Grey Poupon wants Obama to pardon Dijon lovers. — Grubstreet
• Ten food moments from The Office. — Chow
• Be inspired: An adorable owl is a fun theme for a baby shower. — Hostess With the Mostess
• Thomas Keller's casual Napa Valley eatery, Ad Hoc, is now serving breakfast. — Eater SF
• Lemon and basil make a healthy and delicious pasta salad. — Serious Eats
• Menus and party plans inspired by your favorite television shows. — The Epi-Log

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While I love to go all out when hosting dinner parties, I often opt to throw together a casual, one pot meal when close friends come over. This was the case a few weekends ago, when an old friend from high school and I caught up over a meal of chicken, Israeli couscous, and vegetables; the no-fuss dish seemed to set a relaxed tone for the rest of the evening.

Although the recipe was straightforward and basic, I couldn't have been more impressed by the result. The chicken was so tender, it fell apart at the bone, and I loved the fact that the plump couscous was tinged with fragrant lemon peel and saffron. To make this for your friends, read more

Copper verdigris is beautiful on rooftops, but the corroded metal doesn't look so good on your pots and pans. So it's important to keep them polished and in shipshape. As it turns out, it's not so difficult to do so. First, cut a lemon in half. Then, make like you're whipping up a margarita and dip the exposed face of the lemon into a plate of course grind salt (like sea salt). Take the salted lemon and apply it to your copper, giving it a good, hard grooming. Your pots and pans should shine like the top of the Chrysler building in no time! If you happen to make yourself a margarita while you're at it, don't worry: I won't tell anyone.

Surprise your family tonight with this gift-like meal. The seafood and vegetables are cooked en papillote — inside a parchment paper package — until moist and tender. At the table, your loved ones open the packets to discover a delectable and succulent dinner.

Feel free to get creative with the recipe: this healthy cooking technique is ideal for all types of fish, chicken, and vegetables. To learn how it's done, read more

If your home is smelling a little pungent thanks to good old-fashioned Summer sweat or maybe the fish and chips you fried up for dinner, you can make a natural air freshener to kick those odors to the curb. During your endless Summer, citrus is the key to keeping things smelling sweet. Peel off the rinds of lemons, oranges, grapefruits, or what have you and simmer them in a large pot. Toss in some cloves and star anise and let it be. Soon, the interior of your home will smell as fresh as your backyard lemon tree!
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