A Gift Of Tangerines:Seasonality Times Three

When we care for the earth the earth will in turn sustain us

This is the time of year when everyone takes a moment to reevaluate their eating habits and incorporate even more good choices into their meal planning.

The Beautiful Tangerine tree

 At our house we are also looking at our food choices and continuing our efforts to eat delicious yet healthy and seasonal foods.

Seasonality is a cornerstone of smart cooking

This weekend we were grateful to be given tangerines and oranges that were picked right off my Aunt and Uncle’s fruit trees. I’ve decided to make a meal for us today that celebrates the tangerine and the sharing of natures bounty with family.

 

The menu will include

Tangerine ginger soy snapper

Tangerine glazed carrots

And a festive salad with a

Tangerine vinaigrette

THE FISH

¾ Lb wild caught snapper

(The store was out of wild salmon) $5.00

½ inch piece of ginger (grate it)  $.15

3 tangerines juiced a lovely gift..

Sprinkle of hot pepper flake

1 tsp soy sauce

I marinated the snapper in the above for 1-2 hours

I then bake it in a 350-degree oven for 18 minutes or till done

THE SALAD

Small green salad with tangerine vinaigrette

We love to experiment with new and interesting vinegars

For the dressing I combined

A tiny bit of tangerine zest

Juice of 1 tangerine

½ tbs honey

1 tbs white balsamic vinegar

and then I slowly drizzled in the olive oil (about 2 tbs) as I whisked it to an emulsion

This salad would also  make a wonderful meal topped with grilled salmon

I tossed the dressing with

1/4 head Lettuce

1 Roma tomato

Tangerine sections

Crushed pecans

Dried cranberries

Artichoke hearts

S&P

THE CARROTS

Brazed carrots glazed in tangerine juice 

 

I added a tsp of olive oil to the pan 

I pan braze the carrots in water and

tangerine juice

When done to al dente add juice of one tangerine 

As it reduces it will form a glaze over the carrots

I add a touch of cayenne and salt during the cooking.

A Healthy and delicious tangerine themed meal

Total under $10.00 for this Tangerine dream dinner

TIP OF THE DAY: When given a wonderful seasonal ingredient like the tangerine, it is fun to build a menu around it. Take standard dishes you cook regularly and put a fun twist on the recipe. Some of them are bound to  become family favorites