Refreshing Grapefruit Salad ( V )

Refreshing Grapefruit Salad

A few years back, I sat down on the patio of Paper or Plastik cafe in Los Angeles to enjoy a cappuccino and a fruit salad. It was an unusually gray morning, but it stands out in my memory because the fruit salad they had prepared was an unlikely combination of ingredients that packed an unbelievable punch of flavor. The recipe I am sharing with you today is directly influenced by my experience at Paper or Plastik that morning. Though it appears this salad is no longer on their menu, the simple combination of ingredients they came up with is and a perfect example of recipes that I love to share: easy, healthful and delicious  "things that go with coffee." 

As always, this recipe is intended to be catered to your taste preferences. If you like things sweeter, add lots of honey. If your honey is too thick to be drizzled like mine was, put it into a heat safe container and submerge that container into a bath of hot water to melt the honey before you add it to the salad. If you are vegan, maple syrup or agave might be nice alternatives.  Since fresh mint is pungent, you don't need too much of it. A few leaves will give your salad the necessary boost of color and flavor. 

Refreshing Grapefruit Salad ( V ) 

Ingredients:

• 1 Pink Grapefruit 
• 1 Tbsp Sliced Almonds (toasted)
• Fresh Mint Leaves
• Wildflower Honey (to taste)

Method: 

1. Toast sliced almonds in a frying pan on medium heat, moving them continuously and watching them closely so they do not burn. Once they start to brown and give off an aroma, remove them from the pan and spread them out on a plate to cool. (It is important to spread the almonds out, as they will continue cooking once removed from heat).
2. Peel grapefruit removing the outer skin. Separate each segment and remove the inner skin until you are left with just the flesh of the fruit. 
3. Place grapefruit on a plate and top with toasted almonds, fresh mint (tear with your hands), and drizzle with wildflower honey. 
4. Enjoy!

Tip: Since mint usually comes in big bunches and it's hard to use it all before it starts to wilt, I like to hang my unused leaves to dry it and use them for tea later.  Mint tea is a digestive. It is excellent for soothing and settling the stomach.