When the weather gets chilly and the sky turns grey, sunny winter citrus can be just the thing to help brighten the season!

With cold weather, comes cold and flu season. What a wonderful coincidence, then, that oranges are in season at the same time! They happen to be an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps support your immune system. Did you also know that they act as an antihistamine? It’s true! Battle those stuffed-up sinuses with as many oranges, clementines and mandarins as you can grab, peel and eat!

I love Cuties! They are sweet, easy to peel and seedless. And have you seen those cute commercials this year on TV? Cuties is also running some super fun contests – check them out at http://cutieskids.com/contests/.

Add orange zest to your biscuit or shortcake recipe and then layer in slices for a citrusy shortcake. A smear of lemon curd would be tasty to add too!

Peeled and segmented mandarins, clementines and oranges make a perfect any-time snack, but they’re more versatile than that. Cooked into hot dishes, blended up in a breakfast smoothie, layered in sweet shortcake or incorporated into a salad dressing, citrus brings a deliciously tart sweetness to the table!

My Clementine Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing

In my Clementine Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing, clementines are sliced into the salad and blended whole into the zesty dressing. Perfect for healthy eating!

For a quick and easy appetizer, combine diced clementines with tomatoes, calamata olives, minced red onion and fresh basil to top my d’lish Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese. Great for on-the-fly entertaining!

And check out my Candied Clementines – a 14-day process I learned in Italy years ago! They are amazing to serve with cheese, cut up on ice cream or pound cake or just nibbled on!

So peel up some winter citrus and say hello to some sunshine! -Kathy

Cuties Salad with Fennel, Feta and Honey Citrus Dressing
This salad is great as a starter, or as an entrée topped with grilled chicken or shrimp. When in season, a scattering of pomegranate seeds is a festive addition.

Makes 4 entrée servings or 6–8 starter servings

1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed
6 Cuties Clementines
6 cups spring mixed greens (about 5 oz.)
Honey Citrus Dressing (recipe follows)
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Finely shave fennel with a sharp knife or mandolin, and keep crisp in ice water for 10 minutes. Spin dry before using. Peel and cut Cuties Clementines, trim away all white pith, then cut fruit into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Set fruit aside.

Toss greens and fennel with 1/2 cup of dressing to coat nicely. Serve salad on a large platter or divide among individual plates. Top with sliced Cuties and sprinkle with feta. Drizzle with a little extra dressing if desired.

Honey Citrus Dressing
Makes 2 cups

2 Cuties Clementines, peeled and segmented
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 Tbsps minced shallots
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 Tbsps honey, like my Liquid Kitchen™ “5130” Honey
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a blender (I love my Vitamix!) and blend until smooth. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Cuties Bruschetta with Goat Cheese
The flavors of mandarin, calamata olives and fresh basil with the creaminess of goat cheese all play off each other nicely in this easy entertaining appetizer.

Makes 20 pieces

1 artisanal baguette
Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
Kosher salt, as needed
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4 Cuties Clementines
2 Tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped vine-ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsps minced red onion
1 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped pitted calamata olives
Pinch of red pepper flakes
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4 oz chèvre-style fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut baguette into 1/4-inch slices — you want about 20 nice-sized pieces. Lay out on a baking sheet. Lightly brush or drizzle bread with olive oil then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake for about 5–7 minutes, or until toasty. Let crostini cool.

Meanwhile, peel Cuties and dice 1/4 to 1/3-inch. In a medium bowl, toss Cuties with 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomatoes, basil, onion, garlic, olives, and pepper flakes. Set aside.

To serve: Smear each piece of crostini with a heaping teaspoon of goat cheese. Place on a platter and immediately divide the Cuties mixture between the crostini (drain off any excess juice).

Note: Top crostini right before serving so they do not get soft.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Some foods just have a way to remind us of the season and pomegranates do just that. I always know winter has arrived when I start seeing those lovely garnet fruits piled high in the produce section.

Juicy pomegranate seeds!

I remember eating my very first pomegranate as a kid, sitting in a chair with a TV tray. It occupied my little hands for hours…turning them bright pink but only for a day! Take note moms & dads!

Pomegranates’ tart-sweet seeds are prized for their distinctive flavor and are high in antioxidants. Whether muddled into a cocktail or sprinkled on salads, they are d’lish!  And I have a great tip to make de-seeding simple!

Cut the pomegranate in half, then holding a half firmly over a large bowl hit it with a heavy wooden spoon and watch the seeds come tumbling out. Repeat – then eat!  Side note: this is also a great stress reliever!

For a quick and easy appetizer, add pomegranate seeds to hummus. It adds great texture to the already creamy hummus and helps the flavor jump at you with it’s tartness.

In my Tender Greens with Tangerine Vinaigrette, pomegranate seeds add a very colorful and tart addition to this healthy, citrusy salad and plays well with the sweetness of the tangerine.

So pick up some pomegranates and enjoy their tangy addition to a very delicious winter! -Kathy

Photo from Dishing with Kathy Casey.

Tender Greens with Tangerine Vinaigrette & Pomegranate Seeds
Makes 4-6 servings

1 1/2 tsp very finely minced tangerine zest *
3 Tbsps fresh tangerine juice
3 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 Tbsps very light olive oil

————————————-

4 cups gourmet greens mix
1 head Bibb or Boston lettuce
1/2 cup (about 3 medium) diced or segmented tangerines (peeled and seeded)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

To prepare the vinaigrette:
* To make the tangerine zest, peel the tangerine with a potato peeler then mince zest until very fine.

In a small bowl whisk together the tangerine zest, tangerine and lemon juices, dijon mustard, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper. Whisking continuously, drizzle in olive oil slowly to emulsify the dressing. Cover tightly and refrigerate until needed.

To prepare the salad:
Wash gourmet greens, if necessary, and spin dry. Tear the Bibb lettuce into bite-sized pieces; rinse, if necessary, and spin dry. Toss greens together in a bowl and cover tightly. Refrigerate until needed.

Right before serving, in a large bowl toss the greens with the dressing until well coated. Divide salad between 4 – 6 chilled salad plates. Garnish each one with some of the diced tangerines and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

It’s the New Year, but I have a feeling that your mind is probably remembering those New Year’s resolutions. Trust me, you’re not alone! The promise to be in shape and eat healthy is two of the most common resolutions people make!

Do you remember your parents telling you that, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Guess what, it’s totally true! Getting your metabolism revved as soon as you wake up does help with weight loss management. I love to start my day with Kashi GO Lean Cereal – which has 13 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber! – mixed with a little fruit and non-fat yogurt. This combo will get anyone off to a good start!

If quick and easy smoothies are your thing, try My Jump-Start Smoothie – it combines low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit and agave and can be customized however you like for the perfect A.M. pick-me-up!

A d’lish smoothie to start your mornings!
(Photo courtesy of MyRecipes.com)

At lunch time, my Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad is just the thing to keep you full and well fueled during the mid-day crunch. You can make a big batch early in the week and pack yourself small lunch portions.  For extra fiber, add in some chopped kale or hearty greens.

For dinner, I like to pick up some chicken pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) at my favorite local noodle joint – then add a heaping helping of steamed veggies back at home.

So start out the New Year right with some healthy goodness! -Kathy

Kathy’s Jump-Start Smoothie
There are lots of things you can get creative with. Add a tablespoon of protein powder, a banana, change up the frozen fruits, add a dash of OJ or fat-free milk if you like your smoothie less thick or if you have a “challenged blender.” And if you love smoothies- be sure to get yourself a good blender. I love my Vita Mix!

Makes 1 serving

1/2 cup frozen fruits – such as Trader Joe’s Tropical Fruit Trio
1/2 cup fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt
2 Tbsp agave nectar (or sub honey or a packet of no-cal sweetener)
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/2 – 1 teaspoon flax seed (the more seeds – the more “texture”)

Place ingredients in the order above and blend until smooth. Enjoy your healthy start to a great day!

Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen^™

Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad
I like to make this salad with all organic produce and also add in a cup of chopped fresh raw kale for extra fiber!

Makes about 4 cups

3/4 cup red quinoa*
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced or grated lemon zest
1/2 cup peeled, seeded and 1/4-inch-diced organic cucumber
1/2 cup canned organic garbanzo beans, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2cup organic golden raisins
1/2 cup organic hazelnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup grated carrot
3/4 to 1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Rinse quinoa in cold water and drain well. Put the drained quinoa in a heavy medium saucepan and dry roast the grain over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 1 minute. Add the water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove lid, fluff grains with a fork, and let cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the remaining ingredients and toss well.

*Available at PCC Markets

Recipe © Kathy Casey Food Studios^®

The holiday season goes hand-in-hand with some of our favorite libations. Rum and eggnog, mulled wine, holiday punch, champagne cocktails…but not everyone imbibes. Whether they are designated driver or just don’t drink, make sure everyone has something special to sip for the holiday season

One of my faves is the Rosemary Pom Holiday Sparkle. Made d’lish by shaking up fresh rosemary, Cutie’s sweet clementines and tart pomegranate juice. Top this with sparkling apple cider for a bit of bubbly. You can serve it on the rocks or strained into a champagne flute for a more elegant presentation. For parties, I like to float a cranberry and a little sprig of rosemary in the drink for a cheery garnish.

Homemade sodas are also a great party idea for kids of all sizes. Just combine syrup and soda or sparkling water over ice … it’s just that easy for a fun and refreshing twist on the traditional soda! Monin has an amazing line up of flavors available online, from spicy mango to blood orange as well as blueberry pie and toasted marshmallow.

Don’t forget to check your grocery stores for fun syrups! Local restaurant supply chain Cash and Carry has a huge inventory of goods so make sure to browse their syrups. You can also experiment in making your own syrups too – ginger jasmine lime is one of my favorites and tastes great in my Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz.

My Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz!

For the holidays, make sure your non-imbibing guests have just as much fun as everyone else with some creative sips – sans the alcohol.

Cheers! – Kathy

Rosemary Pom Holiday Sparkle
Fresh rosemary’s herbal essence complements the tangy flavor of the clementine and the sweetness of the sparkling cider. When making this in the Middle East, I substituted sparkling date cider instead of the apple cider! It was fantastic!

Makes 1 drink

1 sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 or 1/2 of a clementine or mandarin, depending on size
(I like to use Cuties Clementines as they have no seeds)
1 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
3 oz sparkling apple cider
Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig

Bend 1 rosemary sprig and drop into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze in the clementine then drop in. Measure in the pomegranate juice. Fill the shaker with ice. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass. Top with the cider and stir. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. (Or, you can shake the drink in the cocktail shaker, then add the sparkling cider and strain the drink into a tall champagne flute for a more elegant look.)

Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen^™

Cucumber Ginger Jasmine Fizz
Makes 1 drink

3–4 slices fresh cucumber
1 1/2 oz Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup (recipe follows)
3 oz sparkling water or club soda
Garnish: Candied ginger and cucumber slice on a pick, or a lime wedge

Drop the cucumber into a cocktail shaker and muddle well to release the juices. Measure in the Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup. Fill shaker with ice. Cap and shake vigorously. Add sparkling water to shaker and then strain drink into a martini glass. Garnish as desired.

Ginger Jasmine Lime Syrup
Makes 12 oz or enough for about 8 drinks

1 tsp minced ginger
1 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp loose jasmine tea

In a small heavy saucepan, combine the ginger, lime juice, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the tea. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain through a very fine strainer, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Refrigerate the syrup, for up to 7 days, until ready to use.

Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen^™

If you’re looking for other great tips, techniques and advice as well as recipes for a fantastic Thanksgiving Day feast, check out the annual Seattle Times’ holiday guide written by Nancy Leson. This guide along with the recipes features a lot of tips and tricks from Seattle chefs and restauranteurs (including myself!), with all sorts of appetizers, entrees, sides and even desserts! Check it out for a d’lish read and try out some of the recipes yourself; you’ll have your guests asking for more in no time!

Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel, Anjou… we are so lucky here in the Northwest to have so many varieties of sumptuous pears right at hand – the West Coast produces around 95% of the nation’s commercially grown fresh pears! Pears are one of the few fruits that do not mature well if ripened on the tree. They are picked before they are ripe, then packed carefully, stored and shipped, usually still unripened.

Speaking of – it’s easy to ripen a pear. Place them in a paper bag and leave out at room temperature. When the pear yields to gentle pressure near the base of the stem, it is ready to eat. Refrigerate till needed, and for best flavor bring back to room temperature before eating.

October, November and December are when the widest variety of pears are available. Wanna taste them all?  Hold a pear tasting! Pair them up (no pun intended!) with some great wines, cheeses, and a loaf of French bread and make an evening of it. Pears are the perfect partner to wine and cheese.

My favorite pear preparation? I like to cut them into thick wedges and toss with a little olive oil, balsamic and seasoning then toss on a sheet pan and roast in a hot oven till tender and roasted. Great served with roast chicken or as Roasted Pear Crostini with Gorgonzola for an easy app!

Oh, and don’t forget about drinks: try infusing a bottle of your favorite vodka with slices of fresh pear – just let sit for 2 days then strain! Delicious in cocktails or the perfect holiday gift!

So pick up some pears and get creative with these wonderful, versatile fruits! – Kathy

Roasted Pear Crostini with Gorgonzola
These are extra-delicious topped with chopped toasted nuts, such as hazelnuts or walnuts. Balsamic glaze can be purchased at gourmet and well-stocked grocery stores.

Makes 24

Pears
2 firm red Bartlett or other red-skinned pears
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp minced fresh thyme

24 pieces Herbed Crostini (recipe follows)
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled gorgonzola cheese or thinly sliced cambozola
2 Tbsps balsamic glaze

For garnishing
Tiny sprigs of fresh thyme

Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F.

To roast the pears: Quarter the pears lengthwise, then core. Cut each quarter lengthwise into 6 slices (you should have 24 slices, total). In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, and thyme. Add the pears and toss to coat.

Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Lay out the pears, not touching, on the baking sheet. Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden and starting to caramelize on the edges. Pears can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 3 days before serving.

When ready to serve, lay out the crostini on a baking sheet and top each piece with about 1 heaping teaspoon of gorgonzola or a slice of Cambozola,  then a slice of pear. Bake until just warmed, about 4 minutes.

Drizzle each piece with about 1/4 teaspoon balsamic glaze, then garnish with thyme.

Herbed Crostini
Crostini are the must-have party basic. Use as a base for assorted toppers, such as creamy cheeses, tapenade, or spreads.

Makes 32 to 40 pieces

1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1 long, skinny French baguette, cut into 1/4-inch diagonal slices
Kosher salt for sprinkling

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix the oil, dried herbs, cayenne, and garlic. Lightly brush the baguette slices with the herb oil or, in a large bowl, drizzle the bread with the oil and toss well. Lay out the bread in a single layer on baking sheets, sprinkle with salt, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, until just crispy.

Crostini can be made in advance, cooled thoroughly, and stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days. If necessary, recrisp them in a hot oven for a couple of minutes.

Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books