No one knows for sure, but Meyer lemons are believed to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. They are not as sour as the typical supermarket lemon and are less acidic. Meyer lemons have thin, smooth skins that range in color from bright yellow to orangey-yellow. They are often smaller than regular lemons. Meyers grow in many backyards in California and Arizona. They are gaining popularity nationwide, so they may soon appear in your local specialty produce market.

If Meyer lemons are not available, you can sweeten regular lemon juice to simulate their taste. For this marinade, substitute 1¼ cups of fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup of fresh orange juice for the Meyer lemon juice. Or, add 1 tablespoon of sugar to 1½ cups of lemon juice.