Healing Winter Recipes

Winter is a time of rest and renewal. The beginning of the new year, in many cultures Winter is celebrated as the preparation of the new beginning to come in Spring. Nature has created a glorious harvest for us in the form of nutrient rich winter fruits and vegetables that deliver the vitamins and minerals needed during this rebuilding period for our bodies.

Here are a few recipes for my favorite winter foods:

Watercress, Endive & Winter Fruit Salad

Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup grape seed oil
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
salt to taste with sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Salad Ingredients:
1 bunch watercress
1 head endive
1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned
2 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
1. Place all the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well.
2. Add the salt and pepper to taste.
For the Salad:
1. Toss the watercress, endive and half of each fruit with Balsamic Vinaigrette.
2. Divide the greens mixture onto four plates.
Garnish each plate with the remaining fruit.
Optional: Sprinkle with blue cheese

Caramelized Turnips
Serves 4
The natural sugars in the turnips will caramelize and forma  nice golden sheen.
8 small turnips, red or golden
1 teaspoon olive oil
salt to taste with sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Select turnips that are sufficiently young and tender, without hard outer skin as they only need only be rinsed and dried before cooking; older purple-top turnips will need to be peeled. Cut the turnips into halves, or quarters if they are small. Big ones should be cut in half lengthwise and the halves sliced into wedges.
3. Toss the turnips in a bowl with the olive oil and sea salt and pepper. Spread them out in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast them for about 10 minutes, then toss them once (if tossed more frequently, they tend to break apart as they become tender).
4. Roast for 5 minutes more and check for doneness. The turnips are done when they are fork tender and nicely caramelized (golden brown).

Enjoy!

– Tina Marie