Who doesn’t love a salad with a French name?  I named this salad after my big sis, Gigi, (not only do most of the ingredients start with the letter G), but it’s beautiful, sweet and elegant at the same time (just like you, Gig :).  There’s nothing better than a crisp, clean salad – it illuminates my thoughts, senses and allows me to forge ahead with my creative pursuits. It’s always a good day for a salad.

I was lucky enough to get a gift of ruby red grapefruits — Wonderful Sweet Scarletts™* to be exact.  I love ’em.  It’s the perfect time for citrus.  Jam-packed with vitamin C, potassium and loads of water – and only 60 calories per half of a medium one – they are a no-brainer as part of a healthy diet.

 

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As a little girl, I remember my mother copiously scooping each of the pulpy triangles out of her grapefruit and savoring it at breakfast time. Yes, she would squeeze very last drop of juice from it, too.  Now grapefruits are part of a culinary resurgence. The red ones are sweeter than their yellow counterparts. They are perfect eaten by themselves with a spoon!

Here’s how you can create a tasty salad with a few simple ingredients. Feel free to toss other ingredients in as you see fit.  You can use a different cheese or any greens or veggies you like.

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Ingredients:

Serves 4

1 lb. green beans, rinsed and trimmed

1 large Wonderful Texas Red Sweet Scarletts™ grapefruit, sectioned, retain juice

1/2 cup dry roasted (unsalted) almonds, coarsely chopped

2 Tbsp. goat cheese, crumbled

A pinch of black pepper (optional)

Directions:

Steam green beans in a steamer basket over boiling water for 5 – 6 minutes until beans are emerald green and tender, but firm (please do not over steam as they will become mushy).  In a pinch, you can use a steamer bag and pop in the microwave per the directions on the bag.  Toss the piping hot beans into a mixing bowl and allow to cool for a minute.  Scoop out grapefruit sections and place on top of green beans, toss in almonds and goat cheese.  Toss once or twice gently.

For dressing, just squeeze the juice from the vacant grapefruit halves over the salad.  Add black pepper, if you desire. Toss once or twice again, gently.  Serve it up with a warm crusty whole grain roll.

Nutrition Information (per 1/2 cup serving): Calories: 126, Total Fat:2 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 6 mg, Sodium: 38 mg, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars 2 g, Protein: 6 g

Enjoy evolving your eating today!

Please drop me a note, if you try it.  (I hope you like it, Gig!)

-VSR

*Disclosure: I am a brand ambassador for all things Wonderful™, however all opinions (and recipes) are my own.