Grapefruit Diet Blog & not only!

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.

This crisp punch is a sure-fire hit for any party.

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
3/4 cup frozen Grapefruit Juice Concentrate, thawed
1 12-ounce can lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled
Ice cubes

In a pitcher combine the cranberry juice and thawed concentrate. Gently stir in the carbonated beverage. Serve at once over ice cubes.

Makes 8 (4-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, 0 g dietary fiber, 8 mg sodium. Daily value: 79% vit. C.

1-1/2 cups Florida Grapefruit Juice
1/4 cup sugar
2 inches stick cinnamon
Ice cubes
2 12-ounce cans ginger ale, chilled

For syrup, in a saucepan combine grapefruit juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon; cool syrup. Cover and chill syrup. To serve, fill four 8-ounce glasses with ice. Add about 1/3 cup grapefruit syrup to each glass. Fill glasses with ginger ale. Stir gently. If desired, garnish with Florida grapefruit peel curls, edible flowers, and fresh mint springs.

Serves 4.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 149 cal., 1 g pro., 38 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g. sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 14 mg sodium. Daily values: 28% vit. C.

1 cup cold water
3/4 cup frozen Grapefruit Juice Concentrate, thawed
1 6-ounce can frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons grenadine syrup (optional)
1 1-liter bottle ginger ale, chilled
Ice ring or ice cubes

In a punch bowl or large pitcher combine water, thawed grapefruit juice and pineapple juice concentrates, and honey. If desired, add grenadine syrup. Stir until combined.

To serve, slowly pour chilled ginger ale down the side of the bowl or pitcher. Stir gently to mix. Add ice ring or serve over ice in chilled glasses or punch cups. Serve at once.

Makes about 18 (4-ounce) servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 61 cal., 0 g pro., 15 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 5 mg sodium. Daily value: 25% vit. C.

3 cups Orange Juice
1 cup Grapefruit Juice
1/4 cup honey
3 inches stick cinnamon

In a medium saucepan combine orange juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and cinnamon. Heat, stirring occasionally, just until warm (do not boil). Remove cinnamon with slotted spoon; discard. Serve warm. If desired, garnish with orange slices.

Makes 4 or 5 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 172 cal., 1 g pro., 42 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 7 mg sodium. Daily values: 90% vit. C, 12% potassium.

1/2 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 cup grapefruit juice, chilled
1 cup orange juice, chilled
2 tablespoons lime juice (optional)
Ice cubes

For syrup, in saucepan combine sugar and 2 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, 1 minute to dissolve sugar. Cool 20 minutes. Cover and chill syrup. To serve, pour syrup into pitcher. Add citrus juices. Stir well. Serve over ice. If desired, garnish with grapefruit wedges.

Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 97 cal., 0 g pro., 24 g carbo., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 4 mg sodium. Daily value: 43% vit. C.