I love making hearty soups and stews and roasting chicken with vegetables to keep warm in the wintertime. But after a holiday season and a month or two of cold weather foods, I start to get the itch for something a little lighter and brighter.

Spring peas and beautiful summer tomatoes are still a few months off, so I like to use winter fruit to brighten up my savory dishes. Citrus, apples, pears, pomegranates and persimmons can add so much flavor, color and nutrition to your food. These are some of my favorite combinations:

  • Roast chicken with apples, baby potatoes, fennel and leeks. You can cut the apples (keep the skin on for added fiber) and the vegetables into equal size pieces for even roasting.
  • Broil fish in the oven with thin slices of oranges. You cut the oranges crosswise into nice round circles and leave the peel on for added flavor—it’s edible and pretty!
  • Citrus is lovely in a leafy salad. I like to use a combination of grapefruit, blood orange, and navel oranges with any kind of salad green. If you want to fancy things up, I suggest supreming your citrus. When you’re done slicing the citrus you can squeeze the juice out of the leftover pulp to add to your oil-free salad dressing.

If you aren’t sure how to supreme fruits like oranges and grapefruit, this video is a great place to start. By removing the connective casing and cutting citrus this way, the fruit is a bit more delicate and easier to eat. It’s perfect for salads when prepared this way!

Another winter fruit I like to incorporate into my meals is pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds can make anything look and taste more fun. I like to add them to salads, fold into a rice pilaf, sprinkle on top of fish and garnish just about anything. They add great crunch and a tangy brightness to your plate.

So, if you’re looking for ways to warm up your winter, give my trick a try! Figure out which fruits are in season in your area and try experimenting by adding some to your savory meals.

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This post was originally written by Jennifer Laska, a former Business Development employee.