Savory Flavors with Citrus

When you think of cooking with citrus, your mind may drift happily toward thoughts of luscious, sweet, beautiful, and, all right, highly caloric desserts. Well, who can blame you? In a world of key lime pies, orange almond cakes, lemon bars, chocolate-covered orange peels, and grapefruit meringue pies, it can be a little hard to concentrate on other options.

But the thing about citrus is, it’s an incredibly versatile and useful ingredient in all kinds of dishes—not just sweet ones. In fact, when we look back to ancient cookery books, we largely see lemon and oranges included as ingredients in preparations like soups, meats, and stews.

You see, due to their high acidity, citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and tangerines actually have the ability to physically intensify the flavor of food, adding a “zing” that really wows the palate. It’s so effective at this task that citrus is often relied on in low-salt recipes to make food “bright” and flavorful while keeping sodium levels low.



One dish that benefits marvelously from citrus is the green salad, which has been part of our tables for thousands of years. When combined with oil and salt, (and, optionally, other ingredients), citrus juices can create the classic vinaigrette-style dressing that has been used on green salads and cooked vegetables of all types since Greek and Roman times. Citrus vinaigrettes go especially well with salads made with fruits and root vegetables, such as beets.

 
Marinades are another timeless use of citrus in savory foods. An acidic marinade made of orange or other citrus juices will tenderize meat at the same time as it adds flavor, freshness, and zing. And did you know that marinating your meat actually makes it healthier by reducing the chance that your meat will char? (Blackened meat contains more cancer-causing substances.) This Citrus-Marinated Flank Steak looks absolutely delectable for those of you who enjoy a good slab of red meat. Or, this Citrus Marinated Roasted Chicken is simple, but aromatically rich and flavorful, especially on a cold night.

Of course, many sauces eaten with meat also make use of this incredibly versatile ingredient. Citrus can pair with hearty red meat, as in this recipe for Spareribs Simmered in Orange Sauce. Or you can go a bit lighter with a beloved (if not very traditional) favorite, Chinese Orange Chicken. Seafood with citrus is also a classic match, as in this recipe for Scallops with Orange-Butter Sauce. It even pairs perfectly with non-meat proteins like tofu, as can be seen in the many recipes for orange tofu or tangerine tofu. These Citrus-Tamari Tofu Steaks with Warm Satsumas and Rosemary look incredible, even if you’re not a strict vegetarian.

And if you really want to go all out, the classic but time-consuming preparation, Duck a l’Orange, has been around since at least the 16th century. The French and the Italians have been known to fight about who came up with this basic idea, but regardless of who invented it, it definitely involves a roasted duck, a lot of butter, and a delectable orange sauce.

A final fascinating dish that makes use of citrus’ unusual powers is ceviche. This is an ancient South American preparation, with some sources suggesting it dates back over 2000 years. In ceviche, raw fish or shellfish is marinated in orange, lime, or lemon juice, which denatures the proteins and gives the fish the texture and appearance of being cooked while maintaining freshness and flavor. It is very quick to prepare and quite a delicacy, though one must take care to use seafood that is extremely fresh and of high quality. Try this Orange-Basil Shrimp Ceviche or this Scallop Ceviche with Orange and Avocado today!

There’s certainly plenty of reason to enjoy oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and other citrus fruits fresh for breakfast, lunch, or a snack, or to make them into luscious desserts. However, don’t forget to include this versatile, flavorful ingredient in your savory main dishes as well. The freshness, flavor, and sweetness that citrus bring to the main course add a perfect balance to hundreds, if not thousands of preparations. Bring citrus to your dinner table today.



References:

http://www.world-food-and-wine.com/history-of-citrus

http://www.aicr.org/enews/2013/may-2013/enews-marinades-make-grilling-healthier.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

7 Citrus Cocktails and 4 Nonalcoholic Citrus Mocktails You Need to Try

As any experienced bartender can tell you, citrus juices are among the world’s best mixers and drink bases. The sparkling, sweet-sour taste and refreshing bright notes they bring to beverages are welcome in all types of drinks and at every season of the year, from the sweltering depths of summer to the cold heart of winter. What’s more, there’s hardly anyone out there who doesn’t enjoy the taste of citrus. Almost all of us find it refreshing and delightful.

It’s no surprise, then, that crafty and creative mixologists have come up with perhaps thousands of variations on citrus drinks, cocktails, and beverages over the years, whether based on oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, limes, or other exotic citrus flavors. Plenty involve alcohol, of course, but there are lots of options out there for those who don’t imbibe. Read on to get some great ideas for delicious and festive citrus-based beverages, suitable for all tastes and times of year. Enjoy!

1. Tequila Sunrise

Does this drink go out of style? We think not. There’s something about the gorgeous look of it in the glass that’s still so fun. Plus…tequila and fresh OJ.

2. Citrus Sangria

There’s something about sangria that never fails to make any occasion feel like a party, and this red wine and citrus sangria is no exception. This version features orange juice as well as sliced pineapple, pears, and oranges. Share it with friends!

3. Tangerine-Vanilla Martini

Talk about a very adult version of a creamsicle. You’ll need fresh-squeezed tangerine juice, vanilla vodka, and some tangerine simple syrup (it’s easy to make) for this one, but it’s going to be worth it.

4. Sparkling Citrus Punch

If you require some holiday cheer at any time of year, citrus can provide. This punch combines gin, orange juice, grapefruit juice, gin, sparkling wine, and a special almond syrup called orgeat to make an absolutely delicious treat that will knock the socks off your guests.

5. Mai Tai

If you’re of a certain generation, you probably remember these…if not, ask your parents! This tropical escape in a glass was very popular during the “tiki bar” craze of the ‘50s and deservedly so. It’s a bit involved to make, combining rum, curacao, pineapple juice, fresh orange juice, lime juice, and some tropical garnishes, but it certainly is fun.

6. Ruby Red Grapefruit Frozen Margarita

I don’t know about you, but just the name of this drink makes me feel cooler. It sounds absolutely perfect for a spring or summer night with friends and maybe some tacos or fajitas. Yes, you need a blender.

Image courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

7. Grapefruit Mojito

This lovely grapefruit and mint cocktail with white rum (serve in a clear glass!) is just the thing for a hot day…or, as the author suggests, for a cold and miserable day when you’re just pretending that it’s summer.

Nonalcoholic Citrus Delights

1. Fresh Orange and Mint Tea

This could hardly be easier, but the two naturally complementary flavors of orange and mint are meant for each other. Also try it iced with honey.

2. Grapefruit and Rosemary Mocktail

This light and stylish nonalcoholic beverage isn’t for the kids, but rather for adults who are looking for a refreshing, different and elegant drink without the booze.

3. Seville Orangeade

The unique Seville orange is rarely used for beverages, but here’s a fascinating recipe that calls for these aromatic and cherished fruit to make a refreshing and different nonalcoholic “orangeade.”

4. 33 Lemonade Variations

Of course, we can’t forget lemonade, a familiar favorite for a reason. The traditional version is always a classic, but why not mix things up and try one up these 30+ variations, too? (Note: a few do have alcohol.) I like the sound of the pomegranate and mango variations myself.


Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m thirsty. Enjoy whipping up one or more of these delicious citrus coolers sometime soon.

Choosing a Citrus Juicer: What Should You Buy?

Are you thirsty right now? What would hit the spot? How about a tall, cold glass of sweet, freshly-squeezed orange juice? There’s really nothing like it—and let’s face it, the grocery store stuff in the cartons and plastic bottles just can’t compare. For pure, distilled orange flavor the way it should be, it needs to be fresh.

Here at Florida Fruit Shippers, of course, we take our orange juice seriously. (My favorite juicing orange is the Page, but I also enjoy tangerine juice—have you tried it? Valencias are another classic juicing fruit.) When Florida citrus are in season, I enjoy fresh-squeezed juice all the time. But that brings us to another question. What’s the best way to squeeze every last drop of goodness out of those oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits?

Well, as it happens, there’s a vast array of juicers out there, from the humble citrus reamer to gorgeous heirloom-quality juicers selling for $200 and up. Let’s take a look at some of the choices.

The Juicers

The Simplest Juicers

Short on cash, or cabinet space? No worries—there are options out there. You could try out the classic wooden citrus reamer. It’ll set you back a mere six bucks, and it works just fine for a few fruit. I own one of these, but I use it mostly to juice lemons and limes for cooking.

Stepping things up a bit, you could try this glass reamer design with an integrated dish. This type of juicer has been around forever. You may even be able to pick up a really cute one in an antique store. You probably won’t want to make a gallon of orange juice with this, but it works!

Finally, this double-handled juicer gets a lot of good reviews for a small, inexpensive gadget. There are plenty of similar ones out there.

Press-Style Hand Citrus Juicers

Need a little more power, but don’t want yet another electric device on the counter? Why not go vintage in style? I personally am the proud owner of a 1950s “Juice-o-Mat,” a design that goes back to the 1930s. This nifty little hand-powered device uses the power of weight and levers to extract a ton of juice from oranges and other citrus. You can find these babies on eBay or at antique stores. Note that there is a very similar-looking “modern” version, but it gets poor reviews.

There are many styles of upright “press” juicer similar to this one, though that particular model seems to get the best reviews across the web. While it’s not especially cheap at over $100, customers enjoy the ease and speed with which it juices oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus, and seem to think it’s built to high quality standards. It’s also quiet, which we can’t say for the electric options below. It has sort of a cool “laboratory” look, which you may enjoy.

Inexpensive Electric Citrus Juicers

What about a small electric device that easily stores away under the counter, but can pump out relatively large quantities of juice? While these can be pretty noisy while in use, they also are quick and easy. This one and this one get pretty high marks, and at under $20, they definitely won’t break the bank. A good choice for someone who enjoys juice but isn’t ready to shell out major money or take up a lot of counter space.

Top of the Line Citrus Juicers

Finally, if you really love your daily orange juice, mix a lot of citrus-based cocktails, or want a counter showpiece, many recommend an attractive electric juicer like this one. While the price point is fairly high, they may be the easiest to use, producing fresh juices almost effortlessly while looking great in your kitchen.

Getting That Juice Out

While all these juicers are definitely going to do a much better job than simply hand squeezing your oranges, tangerines, grapefruit or other citrus, there are some handy tips out there for extracting maximum juice. The key seems to be to break up the little “capsules” inside the fruit that hold the juice. Here are three methods to try:

1. Roll your oranges around

That’s right—roll them around on the counter first, pressing down a bit with your hands.
 

2. Microwave your fruit

Stick them in the micro for about 10-20 seconds—that’ll get the juice flowing.

3. Freeze those babies

If you have a) a lot of time and b) a lot of fruit and c) a lot of freezer space, you may want to try this interesting trick. Throw the citrus into the freezer—whole! Then either let them thaw in the fridge or stick them back in that microwave again for a few seconds. They’ll give up quite a bit more juice!



With this advice under your belt, are you ready to go out and juice up a pitcher of fresh orange juice...or tangy margaritas? We think so.