Winter Citrus Salad with Gingered Yogurt Cream

This recipe was featured today on KUTV 2News at 5:55 a.m. It is a great way to use wonderful citrus fruit because with the arrival of spring, seasonal oranges, clementines and grapefruit are gone.

Although it may seem like a chore to peel and prep the citrus, the work is done in a snap with a sharp paring knife. No need to fuss over the orange and clementine segments. However, grapefruit sections should be separated from the membranes. First, cut away all peel from the grapefruit and then run the knife-blade down one side of the grapefruit segment and up the other. Work over a bowl to catch drips and squeeze the leftover pulp to extract all the fresh juice.

Winter Citrus Salad with Gingered Yogurt

Serves 6

Allow enough time to drain the yogurt overnight. It becomes thick and unbelievably creamy. To save time, purchase pre-drained Greek Yogurt in specialty markets.

3 large oranges, all peel and white pith cut away

1 grapefruit, peel cut away

4 clementines or tangerines, peeled

1 pomegranate or 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries

2 tablespoons honey

1 pinch Chinese 5-spice powder

1-pound plain whole milk yogurt

½ cup minced crystallized ginger

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons brown sugar, plus extra for garnish if desired

Drain yogurt in refrigerator overnight in sieve set over a medium bowl.

Cut oranges into ½-inch rounds, then slice rounds into quarters. Separate grapefruit sections from their dividing membranes (see above), and cut each into ½-inch pieces. Separate individual clementine segments, or if large, cut into ½-inch pieces. Combine oranges, grapefruit and clementines in a large mixing bowl with all their juices.

Cut pomegranate in half. Submerge in a deep bowl of water and break white pith away from seeds. Pith will float to the top and seeds will sink to the bottom. Add ½-cup seeds to the orange mixture and reserve remaining seeds for another use. Alternately, add the dried cranberries. Stir into citrus mixture honey and 5-spice powder. Cover and refrigerate until cold.

Stir drained yogurt with crystallized ginger, ground ginger and brown sugar. (Fruit and yogurt can be made 1 day ahead). Cover and chill.

Spoon yogurt over chilled fruit and serve. Sprinkle extra brown sugar over top if desired.

For extra-special presentation, arrange fruit topped with yogurt in oven-proof casserole. Sprinkle brown sugar over top and broil in oven 3-4 minutes until sugar browns. Fruit will not be hot.

Tres Hatch is the author of: Miracle Pill 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy.