The sunny skies of California made me want to do it.
Before I moved to the big lights and bigger stars land of L.A., I was a Utah girl, born and bred. So when the opportunity to leave my home state appeared, sure, I had a couple of romantic thoughts about what it would be like to live in the golden state, where dreams are big and sometimes come true.
There I was, the classic wanna be L.A. cliché.
Let’s see if the sugarplums of your California dreaming jive with mine.
No. 1: Digging my toes in the sand on long walks along the beach, as salt water gathered at my ankles and the setting sun disappeared beyond the ocean line. (Check. Made that happen as often as I possibly could. It always amazed me how so many people I met in Los Angeles, never, ever went to the beach. Seriously?)
No. 2: Hopping into my top-down convertible, shopping bags in hand, driving down the freeway with the wind whipping through my hair. Que the prop stylist: I need long, perfectly blonde hair, big sunglasses and sultry lips. (Strike that one off the list, although it was a 1992 Saab convertible, and I had super short cropped hair and would never dare to wear such a bold treatment on these thin lines I push food through some call lips.)
And No. 3: While prepping dinner, taking a step outside into my home’s backyard to pick fresh lemons from a bountiful tree, to squeeze on the night’s fresh fish or use as a twist for an weekend cocktail. (Yes! Yes! and Yes!)
No. 3 was truly one of my favorite parts of living in such a sublime climate, far, far different than Utah’s scorching desert summers and it’s bone chilling winters. Luckily, I love both.
After weeks and weeks of searching, one weekend I found my beloved lemon tree at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. This was no ordinary lemon tree, it was a MEYER lemon tree. Meyer lemons, a cross between an orange and a lemon, are far sweeter with a smooth, thin rind and hardly any pith delivering half the pucker power as their grocery store relations.
I was in love. So much so that the tree made three moves with us. Sadly, the third move was our last as a family.
If you’ve never tried a meyer lemon I cannot tell you how badly you’re missing out. You might balk a bit at the price of these babies, but given that the flavor and juice of one Meyer lemon is equal to about 9 regular lemons (okay maybe that’s an exaggeration) you’re price to pucker ratio is pretty much straight up even.
Now I’ve heard and seen some recipe creators say recipe XX or recipe YZ is their all-time favorite, the bestest in the world, so good I swear on my child’s tennis shoes I will never eat anything else again.
Normally you’d never hear me striking such an allegiance to one recipe. It’s like choosing your favorite child. Lucky for me I only have one kid. But I’m almost inclined to go out on a limb, right here and right now, and become yet another cliché when I say that this fettucine recipe just might be…my favorite pasta ever. EEEEK! Thunderbolts and lightning! Did I really just say that?
This recipe also has L.A. roots, where years ago I savored a version called Tagliolini al Limone at Angelini Osteria, where celebrities can eat incognito thanks to the spot’s chilled out vibe. With only 5 ingredients (oh, how on trend is that too?) the lush communion of lemon, cream, rosemary and cheese enveloping al denté pasta is nearly too simple to fathom. But you need to. You must fathom.
I almost wrecked the whole simplicity of the dish with my habit to doctor up a perfectly balanced recipe thanks to my inclination to first add mushrooms (no, no, no! Come on Heidi, keep it simple sister) and then possibly butter (no need, there’s cream!).
Meyer Lemon Fettuccine
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 sprig or about 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary leaves chopped
- Zest of 2 Meyer lemons
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook fettuccine according to package directions until al denté.
- Meanwhile, pour cream into a 10-inch skillet and bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook until reduced by half.
- When noodles are done cooking, drain in a colander. Add rosemary, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, cayenne, kosher salt and pepper to the cream and stir until parmesan is melted into the cream. Add the noodles to the skillet and toss to coat. Add more salt and pepper if desired and top with more parmesan. Serve immediately.
While some of the following lemon-flavored recipes don’t call specifically for Meyer lemons, I really think you owe it to yourself and mankind in general to give them a try. Wishing you much pucker power.
Who says you can’t have a fresh, home-cooked and healthy dinner in 12 minutes or less? Robyn proves her lemons creating prowess with Add a Pinch’s recipe for Tilapia with Brown Butter and Lemon Sauce.
Speaking of Robyn above, I featured her and her BFF Amy in the winter issue of FoodieCrush where Amy shared She Wears Many Hat’s Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee. I just couldn’t bear to not mention it again. I mean seriously, look at that crackle!
A quick appetizer with a citrus punch, Jeanine creates the perfect compliment to a crisp glass of white wine, or her dad’s penchant for a cold beer. Both go perfectly well with Love and Lemon’s Lemon Chive Ricotta Bruschetta.
I love how honest Kristen is on her blog. Sharing the challenges of every working parent, she somehow zeroes in with laser like focus when it comes to creating delicious eats, like Dine and Dish’s Lemon Chicken Spaghetti Toss. Now, where was I?
After chocolate chip cookies, Lemon Bars were one of the very first recipes I made as a kid, Stephanie found a little sunshine in her Monday routine thanks to Sarcastic Cooking’s Lemon Bars.
It’s a lot about the basics in our house, and nothing is more basic and made more often than a homemade vinaigrette. I love that Lindsey agrees when she created Cafe Johnsonia’s Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette.
How can I create a list about lemons and not include lemonade? But check this lemonade out, far from the ordinary as we would only come to expect from Todd and Diane in White on Rice Couple’s Blueberry Meyer Lemonade Fizz.
I am 100% in agreement with Bridget when she declares meyer lemons as “sunshine in a bowl.” Just don’t stare at her as she stands in the veggie aisle and breathes in the lush aromas they produce. What? Is that weird? Not when you’re gathering the goods to bake Bake at 350’s Meyer Lemon-Brown Butter Cookies.
Heather scales down a favorite dessert treat to create an incredibly cute individual serving, of Whipperberry’s Meyer Lemon Mini Doughnuts. Perfect for dunkin’.
Related Recipes
Meyer Lemon Tart and a Recipe Round Up
Dutch Baby for Breakfast
Lemon Almond Poppyseed Muffin Mania
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Averie @ Averie Cooks says
What a great lemony roundup and I’m loving the storytelling at the beginning of the post, too :)
I’m so confused though. I thought you lived in Utah, not LA? I know in this post you said you moved to LA from Utah but recently? Considering I’m in San Diego, if you’re in LA, that’s awesome to know!
heidi says
I moved back to Utah from L.A. 5 years ago, but my love for lemons still holds its roots in my backyard in Cali. :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
So many great recipes, and this pasta looks awesome!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Oh wow, all of these shots are amazing Heidi! Love those mini donuts too – so cute! When I traveled to Australia I was completely blown away by the lemon and orange trees there. There is SO much fruit on those trees and a lot of people just let it fall to the ground! I’m not sure if they had meyer lemons as well but if I lived there, there’s no way I’d be letting any go to waste!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I love this pasta Heidi! I had a Meyer lemon tree this summer but it withered in the heat. I’ll be re-planting one this spring.
Katie says
I’ve been waiting for this since your instagram yesterday….so worth it. I’ll have pasta for breakfast please!
heidi says
Katie, it is seriously good. Next up: CAKE! Do you have any awesome lemon cake recipes? Gotta go check.
Jeanine says
Such a beautiful pasta… I’ve gotta get myself a lemon tree!
kelley says
Last winter we rented a house in SoCal that had a meyer lemon tree in the backyard. I brought 20+ home in my suitcase :) Can’t beat that climate, that’s for sure. But the traffic? No thank you. Pasta is gorgeous!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I’m loving every single one of these recipes! I wish the Wisconsin weather supported the growing of a lemon tree!
la domestique says
I savor meyer lemons when they’re in season- I just love that floral aroma and tart flavor! You fettucine looks delicious, and what a great round up of lemon recipes!
Jenna says
I love lemon! These recipes look awesome.
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
Ohhh this pasta! I can just imagine how amazing this fettucine tastes with the Meyer lemon all up in it!
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
When bloggers give you lemons . . . HAR HAR.
Seriously, I want to inhale it all.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Lemon is one of my absolute favorite flavors.
Natasha says
Sandy toes, convertible, meyer lemon trees!! Sounds heavenly! I am a super fan of meyers and of lemony pasta, so this combination will likely be happening very soon in my kitchen. Thanks for another wonderful recipe.
heidi says
I must confess, with this drab weather, I’m wishing I was there now!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
We love fettucine and this lemon version sounds delish! Love the round up!
margo says
Can you tell me where you got that pasta bowl with the handle? I love it! thanks..great blog!
heidi says
I bought the bowl at Home Goods, the home division of TJ Maxx. They have great all white accessories that are simple. Perfect for picture taking. Thanks for checking it out!
Annalise says
I make a variation of this pasta dish pretty much all summer long, with tons of fresh basil. Never tried it with meyer lemons, though I think I may have to now! One of my life goals is to live somewhere I can grow a citrus tree, hopefully some day!
heidi says
Ah summer and basil, a perfect combo with lemony fresh. See, you always have good ideas.
Michelle says
I think we just possibly found my favorite blog post ever – and I know I just said that! YUM! Gratzie!
heidi says
I will be happy to make this for you anytime my friend.
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Totally amazing. I could eat this for breakfast right now.
heidi says
The scary part is, I just did. With an egg on top. And it was out of this world delicious.
Wendy says
I love meyer lemons. Every one of these recipes looks delicious. The amazing photos make me hungry :) Thanks for a whole bunch of great recipes.
heidi says
Thanks Wendy, they are a pretty gorgeous bunch of recipes. How can you go wrong with sunshine and lemons?
Cookin' Canuck says
You are too funny. It sounds as though you did everything in your power to live that Californian dream. My in-laws have a Meyer lemon tree in their backyard and I raid it whenever we visit at peak season. I squeeze as much juice as I can out of those babies and freeze it in ice cubes so I can have access to fresh Meyer lemon juice all year long. Heaven! And this pasta…oh yeah, serve me up a bowl.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Heidi, this pasta looks divine! (I love all of your photos) I wouldn’t be surprised if this really were your favorite pasta ever. This will definitely be made in my kitchen and I will probably be adding mushrooms (my girls love them). And lastly yes, love the Meyer lemon. They are the best.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
How did you know that I have a bowl filled with Meyer lemons right now? In love with this!
Kristen says
Oh what I wouldn’t give for meyer lemons here in Kansas. Love all of these recipes you linked up to too (thanks for including mine – it’s a definite fave!)
Leanne T says
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for sharing all of these recipies I am so excited to try some of them. I live in Ojai California and my mom has just blessed me with no less than 2 shopping bags full of Meyer Lemons from her tree! (bumper crop this year, yeah for me!) These wonderful ideas came in the nick of time as I was trying to figure out what to do with all of these lemons!!!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
All of these recipes you shared have my mouth watering for lemon today! Oh for the dream of my very own meyer lemon tree. Wouldn’t that be fabulous to be able to just walk out your back door for fresh meyer lemons? Mercy! I need to check into their recommended zones for gardening. {fingers crossed}
Thanks so much for sharing my quick-fix fish. xoxo
Betsy says
I am a lemon lover and especially Meyer lemons. I even forgo salad dressing and just squeeze lemon juice on top. Love the fettuccinie recipe and will definitely have to give a few of the others a try. Thanks for posting!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Thanks for sharing my lemon bars, Heidi! You are so making me want to move to California! As I type this here in Chicago, I look out my window to sleet! Yep rain and snow. Picking lemons, temperate climates, and my toes in the sand sounds so much better than my reality right now!
JudithQ says
Hia Heidi, cannot stop my saliva glands from squirting…lemon is my favourite ever !
I checked out your link to the lemon tree. wanted to know; how /where do u keep it in the winter? if I thought I could keep it alive I’d order one from your link.
I still need to have a chat w/ you about doing some work together…but very busy with my Patent application for my product for breast cancer patients. Patent office keeps me & my partner [he is in Conn-I’m in NC] on our toes…asking for more and more info. I’m the creative one-he is the engineer…it gets overwhelming.
back to the Lemon tree. any help with that will be appreciated.
Your so ‘real’. I adore you !
heidi says
I haven’t grown them inside before, but I bet there are some great links to be found on the web that can give you guidelines. Look forward to hearing from you.
margo says
Heidi..I have noticed that you responded to many ..but have not let me know the manufacturer or where to purchase those pasta bowls with the handles….PLEASE!
anonymous says
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003AZZNVS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
You are speaking my love language!!! Stunning pasta – stunning lemons – stunning everything!!!
bridget {bake at 350} says
This pasta is calling my NAME!!! I really can’t think of anything I’d like better at this very moment…not even a cupcake.
I am on a mission to have a Meyer Lemon tree. After I did my post, I got several comments from Houstonians telling me about their trees. YAY!
OK…I know this is weird, but I just got a little thrill seeing my ML cookies with the signature Foodie Crush type on it! :) Thank you…I so appreciate the love!
heidi says
HA! Bridget you are so cute. I’d love to put a FoodieCrush signature on EVERY ONE OF YOUR RECIPES.
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker} says
…. aaaand now if you lived next door I would have dinner all checked off the list… do you deliver?
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I’ve been a bit obsessed with meyer lemons since last year! I bought a costco-sized box but I was only able to finish half of it before it went bad.
Oh well, looks like I’ll have to get a new box for this pasta!
heidi says
Say what? Costco has Meyer lemons. Only in Cali I bet. :(
Julia says
I had never had a Meyer lemon until recently… When the house we bought has a tree, right in my own backyard. I almost pee’d with excitement.
Lemon+pasta=love
Lindsey // Cafe Johnsonia says
I love this roundup Heidi! Thanks for including me. :) Your pasta looks fantastic! I love lemon on pasta. So good! I can’t wait to check out all of these other recipes.
Melissa Vanni says
Yummy!!! Your roundups are the best!!
heidi says
Thank you so much Melissa, I’m so glad you like them because I love sharing food blogger’s recipes!
Kathryn says
Really stunning Heidi and a lovely round up of one of my favourite flavours!
marla says
LOVEly ~ all of it :)
Kristina says
lemon has got to be one of my favorite flavors ever, and a lemon pasta? the best. this looks phenomenal.
[email protected] n Dishes says
Meyer lemons and cream…I am head over heels for this pasta! Seriously!
Cookie and Kate says
I don’t know if I’ll ever live in California, but walking into my backyard to grab fresh lemons from a tree sounds so dreamy. Love fresh pasta dishes like this one, too.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
How amazing it must be to have a lemon tree! Or any citrus, really, for that matter. I still haven’t even seen a Meyer lemon, much less tried one. One the bucket list it goes!
Patti says
where can you find Meyer lemons in Utah? Could I substitute with regular lemons? Or, When can you fix this for me?