Juicy oranges, grapefruit, and pomegranate are bathed in a Cosmopolitan-inspired dressing to create a tempting dish for a Valentine’s brunch or dinner.
What do women want for Valentine’s Day 2024? If you read magazines or websites, it’s everything from flowers or chocolate (yawn) to a scented candle (really?) to a pair of kissing coffee mugs (there’s the door, pal; don’t let it hit your behind on the way out).
While it’s true that everyone has their own love language, every woman I know would be most grateful for their man to take something off their plate, such as washing and folding a load of laundry or making them dinner. For my money, there’s nothing sexier than a man who can cook.
Call me crazy (and I’ll bet a few of you will), but I’d rather have a juicy blood orange sliced on a plate and fed to me than some goofy lace panties presented in that over-priced pink and black gift bag that will sit in my drawer from year to year.
Happily, citrus is in season and the pickings are plentiful. But until I find that culinary Prince Charming, I made my own Sexy Citrus Fruit Salad inspired by the delicious citrus fruits we have now and my favorite cocktail, the Cosmopolitan. It’s a wonderful addition to a Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed, as well as the perfect palate cleanser between courses of a home-cooked romantic dinner.
To make my Sexy Citrus Fruit Salad, which yields two servings, you’ll need these ingredients:
1 navel orange
1 pink or white grapefruit
1 blood orange
1 pomegranate or container of pomegranate seeds
½ ounce vodka
½ ounce Triple Sec
½ cup bottled pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon sugar
Shelled pistachios for garnish
Making food for people I think is a powerful expression of love. I certainly felt that growing up in my family. Mom and Grandma made time to create nourishing and well-curated meals every day. And fresh fruit salad was something special. It always was part of the Easter meal. Even Mom taking the time to cut the segments of our grapefruit halves were a loving gesture.
Those memories—and a killer Cosmo I enjoyed while out a few weeks ago—inspired me to whip up this quick recipe. Grab a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a kitchen towel; we’ve got magic to make!
Directions to make Sexy Citrus Salad
Cut the top and bottom off each piece of fruit. Cut off the skin and pith from the oranges and grapefruit by gently sawing from top to bottom. You can discard or check out these tips for using citrus peels .
Slice the fruit into rounds and place in a bowl. Macerate with vodka and Triple Sec for at least 30 minutes. I used Missouri-made vodka from Cardinal Sin Distillery.
Add pomegranate juice and sugar to a small saucepan and cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved (about 5 minutes). Reduce heat to low and let mixture simmer until it reduces by half to create a light syrup. This should take about 30 minutes. Allow mixture to cool.
Divide fruit into two small bowls or, for extra fun, two martini classes. Drizzle with pomegranate syrup and sprinkle with pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Fresh mint leaves would also be a good garnish to this dish.
How to make the perfect Cosmopolitan
I had pomegranate juice left over, so what’s a girl to do? Make herself the perfect Cosmo, of course! This classic vodka cocktail dates to the 1930s but really came into the spotlight in the 1990s, thanks to Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw character. Traditionally made with cranberry juice, the pomegranate is a nice twist.
To make one perfect Cosmo, you’ll need:
1½ fluid ounces vodka
¼ fluid ounce fresh lime juice
¼ fluid ounce triple sec
¼ fluid ounce pomegranate juice
1 cup ice
1 slice of lime to garnish
Combine vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover, and shake until cold. Serve in a chilled martini glass with your twist of lime.
About the blog
Three Women in the Kitchen is an award-winning food blog offering today’s home cooks comforting, hearty recipes with a personal touch. The website also pays tribute to Deborah’s mother, Katie Reinhardt, and paternal grandmother, Dorothy Reinhardt (the “three women” in the kitchen). Whether you’re an experienced or a novice cook, you’ll find inspiration here to feed your families and warm your heart. Subscribe today so you won’t miss a single delicious detail.
