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TIP OF THE DAY: Use Red Grapefruit For Festive Accents

[1] Rio Red, Ruby Red and other red grapefruit varieties are all from the same seed mutation, but have differences based on where they are grown (photo © TexaSweet).

  Still thinking about what to serve on Valentine’s Day? Much of what you decide to make can be accented with red grapefruit segments.

Red grapefruit is a mutation of a pink grapefruit discovered in the 1920s. (Pink grapefruit itself is a mutation that appeared at the beginning of the 20th century.)

As pink grapefruit is typically sweeter than white grapefruit, red grapefruit is even sweeter. Red grapefruit can be found under the brand names Rio Red, Rio Star, Ruby Red and Ruby Sweet.

The rich red color of red grapefruit is due to lycopene, a powerful carotenoid phytonutrient (antioxidant) that appears to fight tumor growth. Lycopene exists to a lesser extent in pink grapefruit.

Take a look at two entire dinner’s worth of red grapefruit recipes.

  • Start with a Grapefruit & Vodka Cooler and a Grapefruit & Apple Mint Sushi Roll With Honey Chili Dipping Sauce.
  • Move to a main dish of Herbed Steamed Shrimp With Spicy Texas Red Grapefruit and a Citrus Asparagus Salad.
  • Finish with red grapefruit-garnished Mini Cheesecakes or Grapefruit Crème Brûlée.
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    Here’s one more easy recipe:

     
     
    RECIPE: RED GRAPEFRUIT & AVOCADO SALAD

    Ingredients For 4 Servings

  • 2 red grapefruits, sectioned with juice reserved
  • 2 avocados, halved lengthwise and pitted
  • 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt
  • Black pepper to taste
  •  
    Preparation

    1. BRUSH 2 teaspoons of lemon juice over flesh of avocados; set aside.

    2. ADD The remaining lemon juice, salt and tarragon to the reserved grapefruit juice; season with pepper.

    3. WHISK in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Add the grapefruit sections and toss gently.

    4. ASSEMBLE: Place each avocado half on a plate. Top with grapefruit mixture, dividing evenly. Serve immediately.
     
     
    >>>THE HISTORY OF GRAPEFRUIT<<<

      

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    RECIPE: Cream Cheese Brownies

    Yesterday, February 10th, was National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, but you never need an excuse to bake up a batch.

    Drops of cheesecake batter are layered with chocolate brownie batter, then swirled together with a knife. Instead of making the brownie even richer, the cream cheese swirl lightens it, with a smoother texture and a counterpoint to the heaviness of the chocolate.

    Zebras are a variation in which a full cheesecake layer rests atop a brownie layer—no swirl.

    As a family treat or a Valentine gift, cream cheese brownies will make fans of everyone who likes both brownies and cheesecake.

  • Get the recipe for cream cheese brownies.
  • Make rocky road brownies.
  • Know your brownie styles: cakey versus fudgy.
  • Who invented the brownie? Read the history of brownies.
  • Take our brownie trivia quiz.
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    Brownies with a cream cheese swirl. Photo by S.F. Photo | IST.

     
      

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    VALENTINE’S DAY: Drink Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade

    The flavor of roses creates a special
    lemonade. Photo courtesy Fentiman’s.

    When we go for soft drinks, we like something special. We’re particularly fond of the Fentiman’s Botanically Brewed Soda, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week.

    Not your conventional soft drinks, the products are infused with botanicals and go through a slow, natural fermentation and blending.

    For a special soft drink for Valentine’s Day—for everyone from foodies to kids—we like Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade. It’s made with rose oil from the world-famous Rose Valley in Kazanlak, Bulgaria.

    If you can’t find it, make your own rose lemonade by adding a bit of rose oil or rose water to a conventional fresh-squeezed lemonade recipe. (You can turn it into a cocktail with gin, tequila or vodka.)

    Like Middle Eastern cuisine? Rose is a popular flavor in the Middle East, in beverages, desserts and confections. Make rose lemonade or rose-flavored club soda to serve with the cuisine.

    If you purchase a bottle of rose oil (rose extract), a little goes a long way. The beautiful floral bouquet and flavor can also be used in cakes and icing. Artisan chocolatiers have been adding it to ganache; mixologists use it in cocktails. If you enjoy playing with ingredients, get a bottle.

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    TIP OF THE DAY: Easy Healthy Recipe For Valentine’s Day Dinner

    Save up calories to enjoy your Valentine chocolate by serving a healthy yet festive entrée. This easy recipe is courtesy of Muir Glen. The company’s excellent canned organic tomatoes add a bright red accent.

    One serving has just 160 calories (45 from fat). Serve with a vinaigrette-dressed salad. Use raspberry vinegar and garnish with a few fresh raspberries for a Valentine’s Day touch. Enjoy with a glass of rosé.

    Then dig into that chocolate!

    TILAPIA TOMATO BASIL FILLETS

    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Start to Finish: 35 minutes
    Yield: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 4 tilapia fillets, about 1/2 inch thick (1 lb)
    • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Low-calorie, healthy and festive. Photo
    courtesy Muir Glen.

    • 1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning (if you don’t have any, just use fresh-ground pepper)
    • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (use the liquid in another recipe)
    • 3 tablespoons shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

    Preparation
    1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 11×7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
    2. In a shallow dish, combine lemon juice, peel and oil. Dip fillets into lemon mixture, turning to coat. Place in baking dish.
    3. Sprinkle basil, salt and lemon pepper over fillets. Spoon tomatoes over fillets. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

     

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    TIP OF THE DAY: Discover Pho Vietnamese Soup


    Add as many basil leaves, bean sprouts, and scallions as you like (photo © Simon Gurney | Dreamstime).

     

    Last night on “Top Chef,” contestant Dale Talde won the fondue Quickfire Challenge with his adaptation of the Vietnamese soup, phö (pronounced fuh).

    Phö is a symphony of flavors—one of the world’s great soups. It is a complex and flavorful beef broth seasoned with cardamom, chile, cinnamon, clove, coriander, fennel, ginger, onions, and star anise.

    The broth is piled high with stewed beef, rice noodles, basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, and scallions, and is topped off with fresh lime juice squeezed at the table. The ingredients create a heady aroma and flavor.

    Hearty enough to be served as a main course for lunch or a light dinner, the Vietnamese enjoy phö for breakfast. It’s a winner any time of the day.

  • Learn more about phö and whip up a batch with this recipe.
  • The history of soup.
  • The history of pho.
  • The different types of soup: a glossary.
  • Find more soup recipes.
  • Check out this pho and ramen breakfast.
  • December 12th is National Pho Day.
  • February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day.
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