Savory Cooking with Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruit and juices can really enhance the flavor of savory dishes. From meats to casseroles you can use fresh citrus fruit and fresh citrus juice to add a new dimension to the dishes you have always made or you can try some new ones and expand your repertoire of savory main dishes. Using citrus juice instead of water in many dishes can add a nice boost of extra nutrition to the dish. Citrus slices and candied citrus peels also make wonderful garnishes for savory dishes. Here are some tips from expert chefs that will help you create delicious savory dishes that you can serve for any occasion:

Always use fresh citrus juice – You are adding citrus juice to these savory dishes to enhance the flavor so the flavor of the citrus juices that you use should be the deepest citrus flavor possible, and that means using fresh juice. The flavor of the juice needs to be able to work with the strong flavors of the savory dish so it a pre-packaged citrus juice with flat flavor just will not be good enough. Nothing beats the taste of fresh citrus fruit in savory dishes.

Start with marinades – If you are not very experienced with cooking savory meat dishes using citrus experts say start by using marinades. Fresh marinades are like dressings for meat and can add a lot of rich flavor without a lot of work. Use fresh orange juice or fresh lemon juice as the acidic component of your marinade and you will start to learn what flavors work best with different kinds of meat and different cuts of meat. Marinades are a great way to soften up tougher cuts of meat. Since the tougher cuts tend to be less expensive than some of the finer cuts of meat you can save money by buying tougher cuts of money and using a citrus spice rub to soften up the meat and add flavor.

Use citrus zest in dry rubs – Dry rubs are also great for people who are just learning to cook or for cooks who love to barbecue. In order to add a great fresh citrus taste to a dry rub add a few tablespoons of grated Florida orange zest, lemon zest or grapefruit zest. For holiday turkey or chicken dinners a dry rub made with seasonal spices, black pepper and Honeybell orange zest adds a festive flair to the main meat course. Citrus zest can also be added to stuffing or sauces to add a little texture and a burst of citrus flavor.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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