Soups and pastas are the foundation of our winter menu, but it’s time to lighten up with one of winter’s treats: citrus. Citrus’ peak season is the middle of winter which is a perfect relief from the unending cold. Grocery stores shelves are stocked with everything from grapefruits to clementines giving us an abundance of sunny fruits to choose from.
Citrus is a workhorse ingredient with multiple uses. You can use the zest for a punch of flavor to cookies or pasta dishes. Citrus juice makes a great marinade or dressing and the fruit segments add a tart and tangy taste to salads. This recipe calls for sectioning the citrus fruit. Cut away the peel and pith of the citrus with a sharp knife, then cut out the flesh between the membranes. You’ll be left with the membrane core which you can use for the dressing by squeezing the remaining juice into a bowl.
In our winter citrus and white bean salad, we use refreshing grapefruit and Meyer lemons. We add white beans and cooked white fish for filling protein and richness. Like most salads, there’s lots of room for improvisation, so let loose your creative side!
Ingredients
- 1 white grapefruit, sectioned
- 1 Meyer lemon, sectioned
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/4 cup Vidallia or sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup seedless cucumber, finely chopped
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fennel bulb, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup mint, loosely packed and finely chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 cup Randall Great Northern Beans, not drained
- 1 cup cooked white fish, flaked
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
Instructions
- Segment both the grapefruit and the Meyer lemon.
- Squeeze the remaining membrane core to release the juices into a small sauce pan.
- Coarsely chop the fruit and set aside.
- Add the red chili flakes to the citrus juice and set over medium heat. Reduce until there is only one tablespoon of liquid left.
- Combine the liquid with the fruit and all remaining ingredients. Toss to combine and chill until cold before serving.
This recipe featuring Randall Great Northern Beans is a perfect summer side dish.
