The Citrus Edit: A Season of Zest Begins
Bitter peels, sweet glaze, and sun on the table. Citrus sets the tone for the season.
It feels only right to begin this journey with a series inspired by the brightness that started it all: citrus. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on something truly special, a culinary series that sits at the very heart of my kitchen and some of my most cherished memories: The Citrus Edit.
For as long as I can remember, citrus has been more than just an ingredient to me; it’s a sensory bookmark in the pages of my life. I carry the vivid taste of cool lemonade cutting through the thickest summer heat, the kind of heat that presses against your skin. And the aroma, the unmistakable perfume of zest in the air, especially at my grandmother’s house.
Her backyard was home to a giant lime tree, a verdant sanctuary under the hot sun. Every visit was a promise: we’d always return home with bags brimming with limes, ready to transform them into pitcher after pitcher of homemade lemonade. I can still feel the sweat on my neck, hear the lazy hum of summer, and taste that exhilarating tart sweetness. It wasn’t just about the drink; it was about the ritual, the connection, the simple joy found under the shade of that generous tree. Those warm memories, bathed in the scent of lime, have shaped so much of my palate and my philosophy.
Perhaps that’s why my culinary heart beats strongest for the sun-drenched flavors of Italy and the fragrant charm of Provence. Citrus, in all its forms - lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, pomelos, clementines - is a true culinary alchemist. It doesn’t just add flavor, it awakens, brightens, and elevates. It cuts through richness, makes subtle notes sing, and can even, miraculously cook fish with no heat at all. It’s the secret whisper that turns a dish from merely good to absolutely unforgettable.
In The Citrus Edit, we’ll dive deep into this magic. This series is my curated collection of recipes where citrus isn’t just an ingredient, but a guiding note- sharp, elegant, and essential- transforming each dish with clarity and grace. We’ll explore how these vibrant fruits transform both sweet and savory dishes, unlocking unexpected harmonies and igniting your senses. From coastal kitchens to countryside tables, from Southern porches to Mediterranean shores, each recipe is a love letter to the ingredient that sharpens, lifts, and lingers.
We’ll slow cook, bake, marinate, whip, and drizzle. We’ll let lemon simmer in honey, preserve it in salt, and squeeze it over grilled fish at the golden hour. These are dishes that taste like sun on your skin, like joy on your plate.
And what better way to begin our citrus journey than with a dish that captures the essence of that citrus-drenched, ruby-tinged moment before sunset. Our first recipe is The Ruby Hour Salmon: Orange-Pomegranate Glaze. It’s a meal that fills the house with the most intoxicating aroma, promising comfort, elegance, and pure deliciousness. A sunset lit dinner of salmon glazed in Cara Cara orange, grapefruit, honey, and a hint of pomegranate molasses. Topped with ruby arils and served with lemon-pistachio couscous. Poetic, warm, and unforgettable.
This series will grow all summer long. There are peach dishes on the way. Sorbets kissed with thyme. Salads with lime and herbs you can’t quite explain. If it smells like sunshine and taste like a stolen moment, it belongs here. I invite you to join me on this flavorful adventure. Let’s explore, taste, and savor the transformative power of citrus together. I can’t wait to share theses zest-filled moments with you.
Explore the first recipes in this series:
1. The Ruby Hour Salmon: Orange-Pomegranate Glaze
Citrus Honey Glazed Salmon with Cara Cara Orange, Grapefruit & Pomegranate Molasses Served with a Side of Herbed Couscous with Pistachios.
2. High Summer Roast: Fennel, Lemon & Honey Chicken
A Golden Roast of Chicken Thighs with Fennel, Lemon, Garlic & Honey.
3. Tuscan Citrus Salmon - Launches on Tuesday
A Mediterranean-inspired Salmon with Orange, Lemon, Garlic, Rosemary & Honey. Bright, Earthy & Perfect for Summer Nights or Al Fresco Dinners.
Subscribe to follow along, and let me know which recipes you try. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your twists, your favorites.
Some Flavors are Fleeting, Citrus is Eternal
Lily Hawthorne
About me:
I’m Lily Hawthorne — a writer, cook, and gardener creating a life shaped by flavor, fragrance, and feeling. I share citrus-glazed recipes, seasonal rituals, and reflections from the kitchen, garden, and home. This space is still growing, just like me — and I’m so glad you’re here to see it unfold.
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