Citrus brings zest to many dishes

Whether eaten alone or as an accompaniment to your favorite beverage, salad, or other dish, citrus is a favorite summertime flavor. Try limeade or lemonade as a cool, refreshing thirst-quencher. When using fresh limes or lemons to make these beverages, a little goes a long way to achieve big flavor. You can sweeten it using sugar or your favorite artificial sweetener. There is really a marked difference in the taste of freshly squeezed limeade or lemonade.

This is also a great time of year for having an orange or grapefruit for breakfast, not to mention the wonderful fresh juices that come from each. Again, there is nothing quite like real freshly squeezed juice first thing in the morning to start your day in a very healthy and flavorful way.

Orange slices give a fresh green salad just the combination of tartness and sweetness it needs to really come alive in your mouth. Or for a healthy alternative to heavy or high-fat salad dressings, drizzle extra virgin olive oil and squeeze a little lemon juice over freshly salted and peppered greens. This is always great for controlling just how much fat content you will add to your salad.

Marinate chicken breasts in lemon or lime juice and extra virgin olive oil infused with fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano and your favorite seasoning mix before smoking or grilling. Or, squeeze lemon juice over freshly steamed broccoli spears for a zesty punch.

For a delightful dessert, try orange slices served with toasted almonds and cream fraiche. Or, try our wonderful key lime pie recipe. There are so many ways citrus can bring tartness and bright flavor to many of your favorite summer dishes.