Grapefruit Two Ways

Honeyed Grapefruit Smoothie and Broiled Grapefruit with Brown Sugar

Jan 7, 2009 Brigette Zavala

Grapefruit gets its name from the way it grows - in grapelike clusters. White, pink or red, grapefruit is a subtropical citrus with eye-opening flavor.

If you are a fan of the grapefruit - originally called the "forbidden fruit" by the Rev. Griffith Hughes in 1750 - most likely you display signs of culinary excitement once the skin is punctured. At that precise moment when the essential oils of the grapefruit waft up to your nose. From sight, touch, smell to taste, grapefruit awakens the senses.

A seriously refreshing fruit, it can be enjoyed any time of day. Grapefruit can be served for breakfast, as is, or layered with strawberry yogurt and granola. It can be juiced fresh, and used as a flavorful marinade, or it can be segmented and tossed in a green salad. It can also be sautéed, made into marmalades or jellies, or added to chutneys.

Grapefruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, and it has been shown to be helpful in weight loss. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, folate and potassium.

If you would like to incorporate more grapefruit into your diet, here are some helpful guidelines:

• 1 medium grapefruit equals about 2/3 cup juice
• 1 medium grapefruit equals about 1 cup bite-size pieces
• 1 medium grapefruit equals 10 to 12 segments
• 1 medium grapefruit equals 3 to 4 tablespoons of zest

When buying grapefruit, choose ones that are brightly colored and thin skinned, and firm yet springy when held in your hand. Heavy grapefruit are juicy. Grapefruit are best stored when wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator in the vegetable bin.

Here are two recipes using grapefruit. One is for a delicious smoothie recipe, and the other is for a grapefruit treat that many people have never experienced - broiled grapefruit with brown sugar.

Honeyed Grapefruit Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 large, ripe Ruby grapefruit
• ½ cup ice cold water
• ½ cup strained plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 slices Ruby grapefruit

Preparation

1. Cut grapefruit into fourths; pull off peel and clean as much pitch off of the grapefruit as possible; discard seeds.
2. Place grapefruit and ice cold water into a blender; process until smooth.
3. Add yogurt and honey; process until combined.
4. Pour into glasses and garnish with slices of grapefruit.
5. SERVES 2

Broiled Grapefruit with Brown Sugar

Ingredients

• 2 large grapefruit, chilled
• ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 small sprigs of fresh mint

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Cut each grapefruit in half crosswise. If necessary, so that grapefruit will stand upright, cut a thin slice off the bottom of each grapefruit.
3. Using a small paring knife, loosen grapefruit segments in each half by cutting closley between the fruit and peel, then by cutting closely next to membranes to free segments; leave segments in place.
4. Place grapefruit halves upright in a baking dish.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Using a small spoon, sprinkle sugar mixture evenly atop grapefruit halves.
6. Place baking dish 4 inches from under broiler and broil until sugar is bubbly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Transfer each grapefruit half to an individual plate and garnish with mint sprig. Serve immediately.
8. SERVES 4

The copyright of the article Grapefruit Two Ways in Recipes is owned by Brigette Zavala. Permission to republish Grapefruit Two Ways in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Grapefruit