When Winter Sweetz Met Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! 

This year, brighten up your Valentine’s Day meal by adding sweet red grapefruits! Grapefruit is good for all types of diets with its low-calorie count and no cholesterol! Incorporating grapefruits can enliven your meal and also match the cute Valentine’s Day aesthetic. 

The good folks at Winter Sweetz™ would like to share some recipes that include a romantic cocktail, refreshing and light appetizer, a charming entrée, and a gratifying dessert to make for your sweetheart! 

Sweet Red Grapefruit Rosé Cocktail

Start off your lovely evening with a beautiful cocktail! This cocktail’s use of the floral and sweet rosé complements the tanginess and brightness of grapefruit. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of sweet red grapefruit juice
• 12 ounces of your choice of rosé
• 6 ounces of your choice of gin
• Edible flower blossoms 

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 6 ounces of the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, 6 ounces of rosé, and 3 ounces of gin. Shake until chilled, serve in a stemmed cocktail glass, and repeat! 
2. Garnish the drink with edible flowers. 

Shrimp, Avocado, and Texas Rio Red Grapefruit

This appetizer is simple, light, and packed with amazing nutritional benefits! All the different flavors make this an interesting and delightful start to your delectable meal! 

Prep time: 1 hour

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 Texas Rio red grapefruit
• 1 avocado 
• 8 oz cooked frozen salad shrimp
• 1 small bunch of chives
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut the grapefruit into bite-sized pieces without the peel, pith, and membranes. Add the pieces to a bowl. 
2. Remove the peel and pit from the avocado and dice the flesh. Add it to the bowl with grapefruit and delicately mix. 
3. Gently mix in thawed shrimp with the avocado and grapefruit. 
4. Chop the chives into fine pieces and once again, gently mix well in the bowl with the other ingredients. 
5. Add mixture between 4 serving bowls or glasses. 
6. Top off each bowl with some ground black pepper. 

Poached Salmon with Grapefruit and Hollandaise Sauce 

This savory entrée utilizes grapefruit and different flavors to create a memorable meal for your loved one. Pair it with a salad or over a bed of rice for additional heartiness. 

Prep time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Hollandaise

• ½ sweet red grapefruit at room temperature 
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp of white wine vinegar
• ½ tsp of coarse salt 
• ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper
• ½ cup of warmed extra-virgin olive oil

Salmon

• Long strips of zest from 1 Texas Rio Red grapefruit and ¼ cup of the juice
• 1 quart of fish or chicken broth
• 1 red onion cut into eighths 
• 1 small fennel bulb, sliced longways, and 2 stalks with fronds
• ½ tsp coarse salt
• 10 black peppercorns 
• 4 skinless salmon fillets 
• 1 sliced baguette, toasted for serving

Instructions:

1. For the hollandaise, grate 3/4 tsp of zest from the grapefruit, squeeze 1/4 cup juice, and strain. Add the zest and juice to a saucepan with egg yolks, vinegar, salt, and cayenne. Whisk together over medium heat until warmed and thickened (about 2-3 minutes). If the mixture begins to heat too quickly and curdle, lower the heat. Gradually add in oil and whisk until thickened (about 1 minute). Remove from heat. Press plastic wrap directly on the hollandaise sauce and set aside.
2. For the salmon,  add grapefruit zest and juice in a large Dutch oven with broth, onion, fennel, salt, peppercorns, and 1 quart of water. Simmer the mixture and adjust heat to keep broth temperature at 190 degrees on a thermometer. Cover and cook until fennel is soft (about 10 minutes).
3. Add the salmon to the poaching mixture and simmer, adjusting heat to maintain broth temperature at 190 degrees on thermometer, until salmon is cooked (about 5 minutes). Place salmon on serving plates with the fennel, onion, and zest strips. Drizzle hollandaise sauce over the salmon. Serve with toasted baguette slices.

Broiled Sweet Red Grapefruit with Bananas and Honey

This delicious dessert is easy to make and can satisfy any sweet tooth!

Prep time: 15 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients: 

• 1 sweet red grapefruit (or 1/2 per person)
• Honey
• Ginger 
• Banana slices

Instructions: 

1. Place an oven rack on top to get it ready for broiling. 
2. Cut grapefruits in half and use a serrated knife to loosen the grapefruit sections from the membrane. Place the grapefruit halves onto a baking sheet. 
3. Add banana slices to grapefruit halves and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle some ground ginger, and add cinnamon as an additional option. 
4. Place under broiler for about 6 -8 minutes, or until parts slightly darken or bubble. 
5. Serve warm and enjoy! 

Treat Your Valentine with These Winter Sweetz Recipes!

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