Citrus love
It’s a rare occasion I recycle an old recipe, but taken this one was amongst the very first posted when the blog started a few years ago, and the photo needed updating and I just happen to have made it for lunch today, I though it was the perfect moment to bring it out inri the limelight again.
From the predominantly long list of desserts I have, this has to be one of the healthiest I have ever posted, and though when thinking of a dessert mind tends to wonder towards more chocolaty varieties (for me at least), after a heavy meal, when a sweet, but light bite is all that’s needed towards perfection, this is the one to have.
As it’s not my typical dessert, I didn’t come by it casually either.
Some 3 years ago, on one joint cooking occasion I’ve put my hand up to make the dessert, secretly hoping to quickly get away with one of the chocolate cake recipes I’ve had in stock. But alas, courses: 1, 2 and 3 going before were quickly taken up by rather fulfilling, or in other words heavy options, after which a rich and decadent chocolate dessert would have not been ideal (though on second thought is there ever a bad time to chocolate dessert?) and it was quickly decided by majority vote, the dessert would be a sort of citrus salad: simple and refreshing, and all I would have to do would be to segment oranges, grapefruits and mandarins for 17 people…
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well it took me no less than a few hours to segment them all, after which my relationship with citrus fruit had to undergo some serious therapy, but as we have patched up our differences and misunderstandings throughout the years, there is no reason to avoid it anymore.
For anyone preparing a feast for a similar number, I’d probably recommend to go for a less labour intensive dessert, unless you are armed with utmost patience. However, for a lesser crowed it’s not only feasible, but can also be made within minutes, depending how fast you can segment all sorts of citrus.
There is a shortcut to it, obviously, if you don’t mind the slight bitterness, you can always peel skin and serve the citrus with membranes, though without them it does look much better.
In short, it’s a lovely and refreshing combination of flavors, to be enjoyed without a dash of guilt any time!
- 4 medium oranges (or 4 blood oranges)
- 3 grapefruits
- 4 mandarins
- 1½ tablespoon of honey
- 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
- bunch of mint
- Wash the fruits carefully and pat dry.
- Use a zester (otherwise normal peeler, but be sure to take only the top) to scrape the zest of the oranges and put them aside. Try to touch the white part of the skin as little as possible.
- Cut the top and bottom parts of the oranges and carefully slice the rest of the skin with a knife, holding the orange on the cutting board. This will reveal the segments and make it easier to release them.
- Make take the orange in the palm of your hand and make careful incisions on both sides of the segments releasing them into a bowl. Once done, give a good squeeze to get all the juice out. Repeat the process with the rest of the fruits except for zesting. This is for oranges exceptionally. One thing to keep in mind is to cut the segments out of the white skin rather precisely, otherwise it will give a bitter taste, which is not welcome here.
- Once all the fruits are segmented and squeezed, very finely chop half of the zest you had put aside and through into the bowl together with the remaining unchopped zest into the the citrus fruits. Stir in the honey and Grand Marnier gently, not to break the segments and store it covered in a fridge untill ready to serve.
- To serve, divide the citrus mixture among 4 glasses or wide bowls, top with finely chopped or in this case julienned mint (that’s how the thin slices are called) and enjoy!
Oh I love this! Perfect any time of year! Also perfect for those of us with food intolerances. If I sub a little maple syrup for the honey, I’m not left out of the fruity desserts. Making this one for sure.
G … if you must have chocolate, you know citrus and chocolate go so well together…maybe a little chocolate sorbet on the side
I’m with you, it’s hard to think of dessert without even the tiniest chocolate decoration. Haha diehards are we xx
Viviane, you are brilliant! Chocolate sorbet idea is spot on, seriously, why didn’t I think of it (I thought about chocolate shavings for this one, but ran out of chocolate at home…) Next time I’ll make this chocolate sherbet goes on the menu too
I love citrus, what a pretty salad!
Thanks Laura!
Glad you brought this one out to play again, Gourmantine! Beautiful photos and an equally lovely recipe.
Thanks Kim, I had this idea after looking at the photo of this dessert I made 2,5 years ago… taken with shaky (wine influenced) hands and thought to give it another go
Citrus fruits are marvelous! At the moment, I can’t get enough of them…
Your salad looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Me too, at the rate I’m eating them, I’m going to turn into a citrus soon.
I am a total citrus junkie, so this salad is right up my alley. Looks SO lovely and refreshing!
Thanks Amy
I’m glad that you and citrus fruit made such a lovely reconciliation. (Of course, I’m kind of bias when it comes to all things citrus.)
Blood oranges, honey, and Grand Marnier – such a blithe trio of flavours!
This will be a good dessert after a very rich meal, nice palate cleanser. Love this
I love the bright color to it, and the Grand Marnier, mixed with the blood oranges & honey…oh what a treat!
This is a very pretty dessert. I love the idea of the grand marnier mixed in. You are very funny and will take note not to make this dessert for a crowd but just for a few. take care, BAM
I love citrus and I love this. I am a sucker for anything lemon (Meyer lemons just about put me over the top), but any good citrus dessert is a win for me.
Very nice citrus salad… and such a beautiful color too!
Ciao.
Just got myself a huge bag of oranges….but I don’t think I could ever come up with such a delightful dessert like yours!
what a wonderful and delightful salad. I love adding citrus flavors to any and everything- especially my breads and salads
Your salad is beautiful! I love the presentation too!
Love fruits salads, and this is looking great. Love your photos too. Curious about the add of Grand Marnier
beautiful use of citrus!
this is gorgeous! and i’m totally loving the grand marnier in here, such a fabulous addition!
With grand marnier, bet it took this salad up a notch! Love all the citrusy love here
What a refreshing sweet! This would be a great finish to any meal. It’s like having your dessert and after dinner cocktail in the same glass.
What a beautiful, refreshing dessert! I think we both are in serious need of warm spring sun because I have also made something light and a bit citrusy today… I can no longer stand heavy, baked winter desserts (at least this week!).
I must remember your salad and agree with MJ: it would be a perfect ending of any heavy or spicy meal (I think about Indian or Thai cuisine, my most recent obsession). I love the addition of Grand Marnier, which I usually have in stock.
Yay citrus salad! Your recipe is coming at the right time, I am craving for sour refreshing fruits lately. I ll have to change the grapefruit and use pomelo instead, grapefruits are not available here and our grapefruit tree is too small to give fruits so soon (but I am hoping that will happen in the near future!)
A healthy refreshing dessert can be just as satisfying sometimes as a gooey sinful one! Your citrus treat looks fabulous and I bet that honey really sets the whole thing off! Beautiful, delicious and nutritious!
Really nice! I love citrus, and this is such a great dessert. Great mix of flavors – thanks for this.
This looks so fantastic. I cannot wait to try this recipe.
I imagine that dessert is not only good for you but also extremely refreshing. Love it xx
This citrus salad recipe is perfect for me to stay on my healthy diet I am trying to maintain this year. I absolutely love citrus and on average I eat at last one orange per day! Thanks for the detailed recipe and the beautiful illustrations!
Citrus has such a powerful aroma and taste! These salads are amazing!
Your salad looks so good and what a beautiful photo! The Grand Marnier sounds perfect!
MMMMM!