Got Grapefruit?

It’s citrus season in California and that means we have plenty of Lemons, Oranges and Grapefruit!

Do you love grapefruit? I sure do. I know, I know…they tend to be bitter and sour and make your teeth feel funny, right?  Yes…and I still love them.  I guess you have to be a certain type of person that loves grapefruit.  I also love dill pickles, fermenting and kombucha…so yes, I guess you could say that I love the sour and pickled foods of the world.

I use to only love Ruby Red Grapefruit…being that they were much more sweet and they also had a gorgeous brilliant sunset colored flesh!  But over the years I have come to appreciate and enjoy Ruby Red’s 2nd cousin, the good old normal grapefruit with the palest of pale yellowey-pink insides.  Did you know that grapefruits are a good source of Vitamin C, and the pink varieties have a lot of Vitamin A? They both contain Folic Acid and Calcium too.

Choosing and Storing

The season for grapefruit depends on where the grapefruits are growing. In Arizona and California, the peak season is January to June, but in Florida and Texas, the season is October to June.When choosing a grapefruit, choose one with a bright skin color, with no noticeable bruises. The grapefruit should be firm with a springy size. The heavier the grapefruit, the more juice contained within.  Now…if your like me, your real lucky and have access to Grapefruit trees to get our fresh fruits from!!

Although you can store your grapefruit on the counter, the best place for the grapefruit, is in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Here the grapefruit can stay fresh up to 2 weeks!  When choosing a grapefruit, choose one with a bright skin color, with no noticeable bruises. The grapefruit should be firm with a springy size. The heavier the grapefruit, the more juice contained within.

 My Favorite Things

 My most favorite thing to do with these little lovlies is to juice them.  You have never had truly wonderful grapefruit juice until you juice them by hand and freshly picked.  The boxed juice from the store just doesn’t cut it!!

Gather all your grapefruits…wash them…and slice them in half

It takes about 10-12 whole grapefruits to make enough juice to fill half a pitcher.

Add 1/2 to 3/4 C Sugar

Fill with filtered water, stir and enjoy!

An no…there is no “pucker” with this juice.

 

What’s a gal to do with her grapefruit juice?  Why, make Greyhounds or Salty Dogs…of course!

 

Greyhound

The Greyhound is a refreshing and simple drink that is a more grown-up and sultry version of your morning fruit juice. It is very reminiscent of a vodka lemonade and screwdriver. If you’re into citrus, this is for you! It’s also a great way to pack on some of that vitamin C to help keep away or relieve you of that nasty cold or flu.  Adulthood rocks!

Ingredients:

1.5oz Vodka (or gin)

5oz fresh grapefruit juice

Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lemon

**Feel free to turn the Greyhound into a “Salty Dog” cocktail by rimming your glass with salt!

 

Cooking with Grapefruit 

Segment: Peel the entire fruit first. Then, holding the fruit in one hand, cut alongside each side of the membranes. Try to leave as little of the flesh as possible. As you continue around the fruit, continue to cut between the membranes and the segments, folding the membranes back like you were reading a book.

Zesting: Rub the skin on a grater. Use a brush to remove the zest from the grater. Be careful not to get too much pith (white substance between the peel and the flesh) as this is very bitter.

Julienne: Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest off of the grapefruit going lengthwise. Then using a sharp knife, cut these strips into very thin strips lengthwise.

Juicing: Before juicing any citrus fruit, roll the fruit on the counter. This will soften the insides and release more juices. Then, cut the fruit in half. Using a wooden juicer (or a fork), push it into the flesh and twist it around until all the juice has been released.

Peeling: Cut a slice of peel from each end of the grapefruit. Standing the fruit upright, continue to slice the peel away from the flesh without removing too much flesh.

I lb fresh = 1 medium = 1 ½ cup segments = ¾ – 1 cup juice

Recipes

Chicken with Grapefruit

4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 T bsp olive oil
1/4 c dry white wine
1/4 c chicken broth
3 T bsp grapefruit juice
2 tsp honey
3 c trimmed watercress
2 grapefruit, cut into segments

Season chicken with thyme and half of the salt and pepper. Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown chicken, 6 minutes a side. Add next 4 ingredients. Simmer until reduced to 1/3 cup. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Put watercress and grapefruit on plates. Top with chicken and sauce. 4 servings courtesy of prevention magazine

Wilted Spinach-and-Citrus Salad 

2 large grapefruit
2 large oranges
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
½ cup thinly sliced onion — separated into rings
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 cups loosely packed torn spinach leaves
¼ cup plain croutons
Peel and section grapefruit and oranges over a bowl; squeeze membranes to extract juice. Set sections aside; reserve 1/4 cup juice. Discard membranes.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in reserved juice, vinegar, honey, and salt. Add fruit and spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach begins to wilt, tossing gently.
Yields: 4 servings

NOTES : Arrange spinach mixture on individual salad plates; top with croutons.  Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 1995, page 122

Grapefruit, Avocado and Shrimp Salad

2 1/4 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
3 T bsp extra virgin olive oil
3 c butterhead lettuce, torn into pieces
2 grapefruit, cut into segments
2 avocados, peeled and sliced
10 oz precooked shrimp
1 scallion, including top, thinly sliced
4 tsp chopped cilantro

Combine vinegar, salt, and chili powder in small bowl. Whisk in oil. Put lettuce on serving plate or 4 individual salad plates. Arrange grapefruit, avocado, and shrimp over lettuce. Sprinkle with scallion and cilantro. Drizzle salads with chili dressing. 4 servings courtesy of prevention magazine 

Grapefruit Essential Oil 

Grapefruit’s fresh and invigorating aroma is sure to uplift the mood and please the senses. Pressed from the rind, Grapefruit is more than just a fresh scent, its cleansing and invigorating properties have made it a favorite among essential oil lovers.

With antidepressant, antiseptic, and disinfectant properties, Grapefruit essential oil has been known to help with cellulite, digestion, water retention, fatigue, headaches, and stress.

In one study, the results suggest that an aromatherapy massage with Grapefruit essential oil is an effective way to reduce abdominal fat, waist circumference, and to improve body image in post-menopausal women. Read the full study here.

Referred to as a “forbidden fruit” and one of the “Seven Wonders of Barbados,” Grapefruit was first documented in 1750 by Welshman Rev. Griffith Hughes. The name “grapefruit” is attributed to the fruits growing in clusters which resemble those of grapes. Known for its energizing and invigorating effect, Grapefruit helps reduce mental and physical fatigue. Grapefruit is also renowned for its cleansing and purifying benefits. It is beneficial for oily skin issues and helps to purify as it cleanses. Grapefruit is frequently used in skin care for its ability to promote clear, healthy skin and in weight loss products to support healthy metabolism.

USES

• Diffuse to sharpen focus while studying or reading.

• Apply to insect bites or minor irritations. For sensitive skin, dilute with dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil.

• Apply to fatigued or sore muscles and joints.

• Diffuse or apply topically to help clear congested areas.

Grapefruit essential oil and statin medications

The components of grapefruit that interact with medications are not the same as the pure aromatic compounds of grapefruit essential oil. The list of active compounds found in grapefruit that can interfere with drugs includes:

• bergamottin
• bergapten
• bergaptol 
• 6′,7′-dihydroxybergamottin

None of these are found in doTERRA’s grapefruit essential oil. 

Other articles you may be interested in:

EO Spotlight: Refreshing Grapefruit Essential Oil

EO Spotlight: Grapefruit Essential Oil

Protecting Our Immune System 

This article may be hopping around the following Blog Hops: (mis)Adventures Mondays Blog Hop, The HomeAcre Hop, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Homestead Blog Hop, From the Farm Fridays, Simple Saturdays Blog Hop, Simple Life Sunday Blog Hop.