Grapefruit Diet Blog & not only!

CAKE

1-1/2 large fresh grapefruit
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks (reserve whites at room temperature)
1 whole egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon grated grapefruit zest
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

FILLING

2 eggs, separated (add whites to reserved whites in bowl)
1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated grapefruit zest
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon butter or margarine (more…)

This refreshing and elegant dessert offers ease of preparation and fabulous grapefruit taste. The use of the food processor is an easy method for achieving the traditional broken crystals of the granita.

2 cups pink grapefruit juice
1/4 cup sugar
4 mint leaves
4 fresh pink grapefruit slices

In saucepan, combine grapefruit juice and sugar. Bruise mint leaves between fingers and add to saucepan. Bring mixture to just boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes. Remove mint leaves. Pour grapefruit mixture into ice cube trays; freeze. Just before serving, place a single layer of frozen cubes in food processor fitted with steel blade. Pulse 12 times or until no large chunks of ice remain. Spoon granita into stemmed glasses. Garnish with grapefruit slice. Repeat with remaining cubes. Serve immediately.

These moist and flavorful cookies make good use of fresh grapefruit, juice and zest.

1 ruby red grapefruit
1-1/2 cups golden raisins
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup butter-flavored shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon rum flavor
1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
1 cup chopped pecans

Prepare 1 tablespoon zest from the grapefruit. Cut grapefruit in half and remove pulp and squeeze juices into a measuring cup. Add a little water if necessary to make 1 cup.

In a medium saucepan combine grapefruit and golden raisins; boil for 3 minutes. Cool.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar; add eggs one at a time, beating well. Add rum flavor, grapefruit zest, pecans, and cooled grapefruit and raisins mixture. Add the sifted dry ingredients in two additions. Form tablespoons of dough into balls and press into cookie sheets or drop tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Looking for a non-alcoholic drink that’s festive enough for a toast? This is the beverage.

1 cup water
3/4 cup frozen grapefruit juice concentrate, thawed
3/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
3 tablespoons grenadine syrup
1 1-liter bottle carbonated water, chilled
Ice cubes

In a 2-quart pitcher combine the water, thawed concentrates, and grenadine syrup. Stir until combined. Cover and chill. Just before serving, gently stir in the carbonated water. Serve over ice cubes.

Makes 8 (8-ounce) servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 84 cal., 0 g pro., 21 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g dietary fiber, 32 mg sodium. Daily value: 53% vit. C.

Here’s a vitamin-packed drink that offers a refreshing alternative to bottled soft drinks.

3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
3/4 cup frozen grapefruit juice concentrate, thawed
1 1-liter bottle carbonated water or tonic water, chilled
Ice cubes

Pour thawed concentrates into a pitcher. Gently stir in chilled carbonated or tonic water. Pour over ice in glasses. Serve at once.

Makes about 7 (6-ounce) servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 74 cal., 1 g pro., 18 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 32 mg sodium, 41 mcg folic acid. Daily value: 104% vit. C, 10% thiamin, 14% potassium.

1 10-ounce package frozen red raspberries in syrup, thawed
1/2 cup cold water
3/4 cup frozen grapefruit juice concentrate, thawed
2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
1 1-liter bottle carbonated water, chilled
Ice cubes

In a blender container combine raspberries and 1/2 cup cold water.  Cover; blend until pureed. Sieve to remove seeds.  In a pitcher combine the raspberry mixture, concentrate, and grenadine.  Cover and chill.  Just before serving, gently stir in carbonated water.  Serve over ice.  If desired, garnish with orange slices.

Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:  105 cal., 1 g pro., 26 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g dietary fiber, 35 mg sodium.  Daily value:  69% vit. C.