According to Technomic Inc.’s MenuMonitor, “menu items with citrus in their names or descriptions jumped 21 percent at limited-service restaurants last year,” and the trend continues to make gains.  Oranges remain the most popular type of citrus grown in the United States but other citrus fruits—grapefruit, limes, and many more—continue to gain momentum.  Jesse Gideon, corporate chef and vice president of operations at Fresh to Order in Atlanta says he would use citrus in anything.  “Citrus provides an explosion of flavor, making salt levels brighter without being saltier” because the acidity levels make the flavors pop off your tongue.  That same acid is what makes the fruit great for tenderizing because it is able to break down the fibers in meat.  The days of marinating in saline liquids are waning, then, as citrus is increasingly used to flavor poultry, fish, beef, and pork.

The health conscious, especially, love the trend.  Citrus is “a perfect fit for the trend toward fresh and healthy eating with nutritional values and enticing flavors that have long been consumer favorites,” notes Claire Smith, director of corporate communications for Sunkist.   Fresh citrus fruit allows chefs to add flavor without adding extra sodium or extra fat to the dish, and each bite results in a tart flavor that balances the savory and the sweet.

Not sure what to think about the new citrus trend?  Try the recipe below and let us know what you think…

Spicy Citrus Grilled Chicken

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 jalapeno peppers, diced

2 cloves minced garlic

½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

¼ cup honey

1 whole chicken, cut into parts

Combine first six ingredients in a large Ziploc bag.  Seal and mix ingredients to combine.  Add chicken.  Let marinate in refrigerator about 4 hours.

Grill over medium heat until chicken is cooked through.

The post Affordable. Versatile. Complex. Citrus! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Paloma

1 T. fresh lime juice
¼ c. fresh grapefruit juice
1 t. sugar
¼ c. light tequila
¼ c. club soda

Directions:

1. Start with a glass with a salted rim.
2. Add all ingredients.
3. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add ice.

Grapefruit Sangria

4 c. grapefruit juice
3 c. Riesling wine
1 ½ c. ginger ale
Sliced fruit

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher.
2. Serve over ice.

Grapefruit Margarita

1 c. light tequila
1 c. fresh grapefruit juice
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
½ c. Cointreau
1-2 t. agave (optional)

Directions:

1. Salt the rims of 4 margarita glasses and add ice.
2. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
3. Pour into ice-filled, salted glasses.

For a fun and fiery twist add a 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce portion (per serving) of Torani® Sweet Heat Syrup to any of the above cocktails.  The spice of the ghost pepper combined with the sweet/tart flavor of grapefruit is sure to delight your taste buds!

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