Grapefruit Diet Blog & not only!

This is a tasty variation of the traditional shrimp cocktail with a little zip thanks to the avocado, grapefruit and chili sauce.

4 fresh grapefruit
18 cooked, cleaned shrimp
1 medium avocado, peeled and cut in 1/2″ cubes
1 cut bottled chili sauce
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup sliced celery
Lettuce leaves to line grapefruit shells
Cut each grapefruit in half and remove sections, placing them in a large non-metal mixing bowl. Scrape out 6 of the grapefruit halves and set them aside. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise; add to grapefruit in bowl. Add avocado cubes to bowl. In another bowl, combine chili sauce, horseradish, onion, green pepper and celery. Mix well and add to bowl; toss gently. Line the 6 grapefruit shells with lettuce and mound the grapefruit mixture in them.

1 cup pink Florida grapefruit, sections
1 cup white Florida grapefruit, sections
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili sauce
2 drops Tabasco sauce
black pepper, Lawry’s seasoning salt, and rum to taste

NUTRITION FACTS : 196 cal., 4 g pro., 50 g. carbo., .6 g. total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g. dietary fiber, 694 mg. sodium, 789 mg potassium. Daily Value: 268 vit. C, 28% vit. A, 16% folate. 12% thiamine, 7% riboflavin, 9% niacin, 8% iron.

Fresh Start Recipe Contest Winner: Sandy Szwarc, Albuquerque, NM
Cardamom gives the grapefruit an exotic twist. And grapefruit gives salsa an altogether exciting kick.

2 TBSP. lime juice
1 TBSP. olive oil
1 tsp. minced jalapeno
1/2 red bell pepper, minced
2 TBSP. minced red onion
1 large grapefruit, peeled, membrane removed, sectioned, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
2 TBSP. chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Toss all together. Serve chilled as side dish to barbecued meat, seafood and nachos.
Yields: 1-1/2 cups.

This is great for nachos, grilled meats and seafood.

1 medium red onion, diced
1 TBSP. olive oil
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 large pink grapefruit, peeled, membrane removed, chopped
1-2 jalapenos, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted, diced
1 TBSP. minced fresh cilantro leaves
1 TBSP. grapefruit juice
1 TBSP. lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt

Saut� onion in the olive oil until tender and beginning to become light golden. Stir in sugar and saut� until glistening.
Place in bowl and toss in the rest.

Citrus fruits and juices are full of vitamins and minerals essential to maintaining a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and American Heart Association have recognized the important role a balanced diet including citrus fruit and juices may play in helping to reduce the risk of certain cancers, neural tube birth defects and heart disease.

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for moderately active adults
**FDA Nutrition Fact (61 FR at 42761)

- Iron Deficiency. Seventy-seven percent of American women under the age of 50 are iron deficient. Consuming citrus foods like grapefruit and grapefruit juice can help boost the absorption of non-heme iron (the iron found in plants—not meat products). What this means is that if you drink a glass of grapefruit juice before you eat a spinach salad – your body absorbs two to four times as much iron. This is great news for young women, female athletes and vegetarians – all susceptible to iron deficiencies.

- Healthy Heart. Florida Grapefruit is the first fresh produce item to receive the American Heart Association heart-check mark – designating foods low in sodium, cholesterol and fat. (more…)

I used my special grapefruit knife, which has a curved blade specially designed to carve out each grapefruit segment. Once this task is accomplished, i could enjoy each goegeous bite of grapefruit as an explosion of juice and pulp, minus the bitter, membranous walls which wereleft behind in the skin of the fruit. This is truly the best way to eat grapefruit.

1/2    cup    fresh grapefruit juice
1/2    cup    rice wine vinegar
1/4    cup    cold water
1    x    clove garlic finely minced
1    tsp    finely chopped fresh basil
1/2    tbl    finely chopped fresh thyme
1/2    tsp    black pepper
1/2    tsp    finely chopped parsley

Citrus juices make a tasty base for salad dressing.
Makes 1 cup
Whisk together the grapefruit juice, vinegar, and water in a small nonreactive bowl. Add the garlic, basil, thyme, pepper, and parsley.Mix well and chill until ready to use. It will keep nicely in the refrigerator for several days.