Roast Duck with Mandarin Citrus SauceOranges. Grapefruit. Lemons. Limes. Tangerines. Satsumas. Although a lot of people think of citrus as a summery-sunshine fruit, it’s really at its peak during fall and early winter, making these juicy, delicious fruits available for a variety of cold-weather menus and holiday dishes like this Dry-Brined Spiced Citrus Turkey opens in a new tab, this Roast Pork Loin with Thyme-Citrus Jam opens in a new tab and this gorgeous Roast Duck with Mandarin Citrus Sauce opens in a new tab.
The simple rule for choosing citrus fruits is that they should feel firm and heavy for their size. Good color and a fresh appearance are also important.
Not only is citrus is high in vitamin C and fiber, it’s great for eating out of hand or enjoying in a variety of recipes ranging from beverages to salads, soups to sauces, vinaigrettes, desserts and baked goods.
Remember, citrus is often interchangeable in recipes. Here are some recipes and ideas:
Make better-for-you desserts, like our Raspberry Vegan Cheesecake Bites opens in a new tab using a Meyer lemon.
Place sliced limes, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines or oranges in the bottom of a pitcher. Pour sparkling water or tea on top and enjoy. Or add citrus to a favorite cocktail or make this Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail opens in a new tab.
Use fresh citrus or citrus juice in place of or along with vinegar in a vinaigrette salad dressing recipe. Winter Greens with Roasted Citrus Vinaigrette opens in a new tab is made with either mandarin or blood oranges, or tangerines.
Pistachio-Citrus Rugelach opens in a new tab is made with cream cheese, poppy seeds and lemon zest. For variety, you can use lime zest, Meyer lemon zest or orange zest.
Serve these unique sweet-tart Goat Cheese Sandies with Cranberry and Orange opens in a new tab along with a citrus fruit salad.
If you love to flavor veggies with lemon juice, try something a little different like Green Beans with Mint and Satsumas opens in a new tab.
Add chopped citrus to a green salad or make a fruit salad. Try a sprinkling of dried fruits and nuts as a garnish. Here’s a wonderful Fennel and Tangerine Salad opens in a new tab that I love with roasted or grilled salmon. Another winter favorite of mine is Grapefruit and Beet Salad opens in a new tab.
If you enjoy lemon or lime juice to flavor a vegetable or meat soup, try orange or Meyer lemon juice.
Chop oranges or tangerines and add to tuna or shrimp salad.
Add chopped oranges or tangerines to cranberry sauce. Have you tried this popular Cranberry Sauce with Clementines and Cinnamon opens in a new tab? It’s sure to be a hit at your holiday table!
Citrus is particularly delicious when paired with fish and shellfish. If you love tuna, you’ll want to try our Tangerine Roasted Tuna with Green Olives opens in a new tab. And for shellfish lovers, there’s Sesame Scallops with Tangerine and Bok Choy opens in a new tab.
Cranberry Orange Tea Bread opens in a new tab, Eggnog and Ruby Red Grapefruit Muffins opens in a new tab, Mandarin Cake opens in a new tab and Cherry Orange and Pecan Coffee Cake opens in a new tab are delectable examples of using citrus in baked goods. I plan to make the tea bread for gifts.
You can even make Homemade Citrus Ornaments opens in a new tab for your tree with whatever citrus you happen to have on hand!
What’s your favorite citrus fruit? Do you have a good recipe or an idea? Let me know.
