Grapefruit Salad with Pomegranate, Mint, and Orange Blossom

Detox after the holiday feasting?  Most of Americans say yes to this concept, at least for a couple weeks... or days.  But let's be positive about our resolutions!  With delicious dishes such as this refreshing and flavorful citrus salad, it is easy!!

I first tried oranges sliced thinly with mint and oranges in a Moroccan restaurant in France, and I fell in love with the low-calorie dessert that I made it several times after.  However, for brunch I thought I should dress it up a bit with grapefruit instead of oranges and juicy pomegranate seeds. Healthy and delicious!

Grapefruit Salad with Pomegranate, Mint, and Orange Blossom

• 4 grapefruits
• 3 tbsp fresh mint chiffonade
• 1/2 pomegranate seeded
• 1 tbsp orange blossom water
• 1 tsp sugar

1. Slice grapefruits very thinly and de-seed
2. Sprinkle sugar on top, then orange blossom water
3. Top with pomegranate seeds and mint

Thanksgiving Salad

Thanksgiving is full of delicious treats that we get only once.  But when you eat all of those rich foods, you need something fresh to cut the fat of those foods and lighten up your meal.   This salad is perfect, filled with holiday flavors and very refreshing.  Try it on your table on Thursday- field greens with dried cranberries, smoked gouda, and a maple vinaigrette!

Field Greens with Cranberries, Smoked Gouda, and Maple Vinaigrette

• 1 package field greens
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• One 3 oz smoked gouda, shaved thinly
• Maple Vinaigrette

1. Mix all of the ingredients; keep vinaigrette on the side if you would like
2. Maple Vinaigrette: 
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and Pepper to taste
1. Whisk ingredients in a bowl and season to taste

Goat Cheese Truffles

When you hear the word truffle, what comes to mind?  Smooth, creamy, dense balls of chocolate dusted with cocoa that simply melt, as you eat them one by one.  However, while walking through Wegman's the other day, I was inspired to make a new kind of truffle: Goat Cheese Truffles.

These truffles are sweet AND savory; creamy goat cheese is formed into balls and then rolled in spiced pecans and dried cranberries.  These make perfect appetizers or toppings for salads.  They are simply adorable and would be perfect for a light holiday hors-d'oeuvre.

Goat Cheese Truffles

• 1 8 oz. Goat Cheese log, medium consistency
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup Spiced Pecans

1. Pecans:  Cover 1/2 cup of pecans in 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp curry powder. Cook in a skillet on medium heat until pecans have absorbed the syrup; let cool.
2. Chop cooled pecans and mix with cranberries in a small bowl
3. Roll goat cheese into 1/2 oz balls, making about 16
4. Roll the goat cheese balls into chopped pecan and cranberry mixture

Asian Cucumber Salad

Need a light snack that is cheap and refreshing? This asian cucumber salad from Kalyn's Kitchen.   It is on South Beach diet, if you are looking for a no-carb snack.  It is sweet and bitter, with a combination of rice vinegar and Splenda.  Enjoy!

Asian Cucumber Salad

• 4 cucumbers, peeled in stripes, cut in half lengthwise, then into thick slices
• 1 large onion or other sweet onion, finely chopped
• 1 bunch cilantro washed and chopped 
• 1 cup rice vinegar 
• 3 T Splenda or sugar
• 2 tsp. Asian sesame oil
• 2 tsp. garlic finely chopped
• pinch hot pepper flakes
• ground black pepper to taste

1. Mix all ingredients together except cilantro and let marinate in the fridge for one hour
2. Add the cilantro just before serving