With a little imagination and experimentation, it's easy to give traditional recipes the great taste of Florida citrus while enhancing the nutritional profile by using Florida orange and grapefruit juice, instead of fats and oils, to bring out the flavors in foods. Florida Cuisine's unique flavors and textures come from the ingredients used in the recipes, such as Florida oranges and grapefruit, chili peppers, fennel, calabaza and spices like star anise and saffron. Jazz up ordinary chicken or beef marinade by replacing or supplementing oils or salad dressing with orange or grapefruit juice. The natural acid in the juice makes the meat tender while adding tantalizing flavor. Or, layer thin slices of fresh Florida oranges or grapefruit on top before baking or broiling.
Side dishes take on a whole new meaning when prepared with Florida citrus.
Orange juice added to water when preparing rice or pasta gives these typically bland sides a sensational flavor boost. Florida's leading chefs have known for years that for flavor-packed, nutritious ingredients, you should look to Florida citrus juice and fruit. They make it easier to cook healthful meals, and their versatility and nutritional benefits are hard to beat.