Besides the usual suspects—salt, pepper and olive oil—a fresh lemon tucked away in the fridge means we’re poised to finesse dinner in the worst of circumstances. A squeeze of the tart yellow fruit and drizzle of oil dresses the simplest of salads, brightens up a quick sauté or a sheet of roasted vegetables. Lemon is just the right accent to liven up an earthy lentil soup or a hearty bowl of whole grain farro.

Even if you have nothing more in the pantry beyond those usual suspects, plus a package of pasta, a wedge of aged Parmesan and a head of garlic, you’re in business. Dinner is but a heartbeat away. A dinner that any child can easily produce (so hand over the reins). Boil up noodles and sauté garlic. Toss them together with olive oil, salt and a healthy pinch of red pepper flakes. Finish with a flourish of fresh lemon juice and cheese. There is no simpler or more satisfying supper. Grab a bowl and spoon.

Lemon is famous for its tangy juice, but its fragrant zest (aka the grated skin) is equally useful, if for different reasons. Zest adds lemon flavor (via its essential oils) without the mouth-puckering acidity of the juice. Try stirring a spoonful of zest into roasted vegetables. This week’s broccoli is a perfect place to start. Layer uniformly cut pieces on a baking sheet (stems as well as florets), toss them with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. Roast in a hot oven until peppered with splotches of dark brown, here and there. Add a bit of garlic during the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking. Or a sprinkling of ground cumin, coriander and paprika (smoked or sweet)—particularly nice on the cauliflower pictured above. When the vegetables emerge from the oven, blitz them with a stealthy touch of lemon juice and zest and a few toasted nuts. Chop the veggies finely and layer on crusty bread (toasted or pan-fried in olive oil) with a drizzle of oil—or fold into cooked rice or pasta. Perhaps you’d prefer to mix them with cannellini beans and a few kalamata olives. Or wrap a spatula load in warm lavash or a corn tortilla for a healthy snack.