The wonderful thing about this time of year in Tunisia? It's citrus season. Going to the market every Saturday is my inspiration for the week's menu. I usually have some ideas in my head but when I get to the market and find that the main ingredient is not available, I have to adjust. This week it was sweet potatoes. Couldn't find them anywhere, even at the little grocery store close by. Oh well, no stuffed sweet potatoes this week.
Instead I was pleased once again to see the huge array of citrus. The season began just before we left for holiday break. One of my favorite is grapefruit. Maybe it's because of the fond memory of eating it sliced open with sugar sprinkled on top. As a little tike, I used to walk over to my dear "Grandma Fanny's" home. She wasn't really my grandmother, but was the "grandmother" for the whole neighborhood. This was a morning routine for me. Her kitchen was warm and cozy with an old fashioned 1800's wood cooking stove. Good ole fashioned cooking was made in and on top of that stove. She always had coffee on the stove top ready for guests to arrive just about every morning. I was the first guest. Always! She served me grapefruit once and I was sold! I think it was really because of the sugar she used to put on top. I couldn't wait to dive into the pink citrus. Grandma Fanny used to tell me "Hang on there Topsie, let me cut around the edges for you." She would carve around the grapefruit gently and then cut out the triangle shaped wedges so my spoon would scoop it up easily. I would patiently wait for her to finish her art work, and then, "Oh! Wait...just a dash of sugar. Enjoy there now Sweetie!" Get's me choked up just remembering the story. So many wonderful memories in that old bright green kitchen. So needless to say, I am a junky for grapefruit. I did cut out the sugar and now love the juice, pulp, wedges in a container, peeled, you name it I will eat it all natur-el.
When we moved overseas, grapefruit was hard to find in Nepal. I loved to drink just a 1/2 glass in the morning. Sometimes I could find it in the store in a container. If not, I made due and had orange juice. In Tunisia, I was prepared to survive on oranges but was so delighted to see the huge round yellow citrus one day at the market. There it was, sliced open with it's fresh bright pink color calling my name. It was like I found the "golden ticket" of goodness. I buy about 6 grapefruit for the week. Marty and I have a 1/2 glass of grapefruit juice (pulp and all) with 1 Tbls apple cider vinegar. Once in awhile a bit of honey to take the bitterness away. (While doing the Whole 30 the honey is not added.) Then we chase it with a 1/2 glass of water.
Gluten free and Paleo friendly
Instead I was pleased once again to see the huge array of citrus. The season began just before we left for holiday break. One of my favorite is grapefruit. Maybe it's because of the fond memory of eating it sliced open with sugar sprinkled on top. As a little tike, I used to walk over to my dear "Grandma Fanny's" home. She wasn't really my grandmother, but was the "grandmother" for the whole neighborhood. This was a morning routine for me. Her kitchen was warm and cozy with an old fashioned 1800's wood cooking stove. Good ole fashioned cooking was made in and on top of that stove. She always had coffee on the stove top ready for guests to arrive just about every morning. I was the first guest. Always! She served me grapefruit once and I was sold! I think it was really because of the sugar she used to put on top. I couldn't wait to dive into the pink citrus. Grandma Fanny used to tell me "Hang on there Topsie, let me cut around the edges for you." She would carve around the grapefruit gently and then cut out the triangle shaped wedges so my spoon would scoop it up easily. I would patiently wait for her to finish her art work, and then, "Oh! Wait...just a dash of sugar. Enjoy there now Sweetie!" Get's me choked up just remembering the story. So many wonderful memories in that old bright green kitchen. So needless to say, I am a junky for grapefruit. I did cut out the sugar and now love the juice, pulp, wedges in a container, peeled, you name it I will eat it all natur-el.
When we moved overseas, grapefruit was hard to find in Nepal. I loved to drink just a 1/2 glass in the morning. Sometimes I could find it in the store in a container. If not, I made due and had orange juice. In Tunisia, I was prepared to survive on oranges but was so delighted to see the huge round yellow citrus one day at the market. There it was, sliced open with it's fresh bright pink color calling my name. It was like I found the "golden ticket" of goodness. I buy about 6 grapefruit for the week. Marty and I have a 1/2 glass of grapefruit juice (pulp and all) with 1 Tbls apple cider vinegar. Once in awhile a bit of honey to take the bitterness away. (While doing the Whole 30 the honey is not added.) Then we chase it with a 1/2 glass of water.
If you are taking any medication especially for your heart, this grapefruit drink would not be for you. Sorry. Be sure to ask your Doctor. You may be able to have orange juice with apple cider. It's worth asking!
Here are some helpful links regarding grapefruit, apple cider vinegar and honey. Great benefits!
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