Robin's Healthy Take: 5 Great Grapefruit Recipes
I have a grapefruit tree in my backyard. Since I’m an east coast girl who now lives in Arizona, I find it hard to believe I have citrus growing in my yard! It’s awesome. And the tree produces a TON of fruit: Even after I give dozens of the sweet-tart gems away to my neighbors, I still have more than I can handle.
It’s no different in the produce department these days -- the grapefruit look amazing and after you buy a bunch, you need to find creative uses beyond eating them with a spoon a breakfast. Since grapefruit is brimming with vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant) make sure you include the treat in your weekly menu. Check out my super healthy ideas for pizza, lobster salad, vinaigrette, a hearty side dish and even dessert.
Caramelized Grapefruit with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Cream: Cut pink grapefruit in half crosswise and place flesh-side up on a baking sheet; combine brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture on the top of each grapefruit half; place under broiler and broil 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown; whisk together vanilla yogurt and vanilla extract; spoon yogurt mixture over grapefruit while still warm.
Lobster Avocado Salad with Grapefruit: Combine 1/4 cup light mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; fold in 1 pound cubed, cooked lobster meat, 1 cubed avocado and the sections from 2 grapefruit; season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Grapefruit Vinaigrette: Whisk together 1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons honey mustard and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme; season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve over salad, fish or chicken.
Asparagus Salad with Grapefruit, Cheddar and Egg: Blanch 2 bunches of trimmed fresh asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, until crisp-tender; drain and transfer to a large bowl; add 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs, 4 ounces cubed cheddar cheese and the sections from 2 grapefruit; drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Pizza with Brie, Grapefruit and Ham: Roll out a thawed 1-pound loaf of frozen bread dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick; transfer to a baking sheet; spread 1/4 cup honey mustard all over dough, to within 1/2-inch of the edges; top with 1 cup diced smoked ham, the sections from 2 grapefruit and 6 ounces thinly sliced Brie cheese; bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, until crust is golden brown and Brie melts; season the top with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Robin Miller is a nutritionist, host of Quick Fix Meals, author of “Robin Rescues Dinner” and the busy mom of two active little boys. Her boys and great food are her passion. Check her out at www.robinrescuesdinner.com.
