Say goodbye to heavy winter meals and hello to something a little lighter. How grapefruit can make your tongue sing this spring with celebrity chef Lynn Crawford.

  • 1 Florida ruby red grapefruit, halved and sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Half a fresh fennel, thinly sliced
  • 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
  • 4 fresh basil leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 6 centre cut skinless salmon fillets
  • Sesame Brittle, optional (see tip)

Quinoa Salad:

  • 1 Florida ruby red grapefruit, scrubbed
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 thin slices fresh ginger
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) water
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) grapefruit juice
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) white wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) liquid honey
  • 2 cups (500 mL) baby arugula
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh cilantro leaves

Quinoa Salad: Using a vegetable peeler, remove outer peel from grapefruit and place in small saucepan. Remove outer pith and cut segments from grapefruit; set aside. Add oil and ginger to saucepan. Warm over medium heat until oil starts to bubble, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain and reserve oil.

Combine quinoa, water and salt in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and cook, uncovered for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork into a large bowl.

Whisk together grapefruit juice, vinegar, honey and 3 tbsp (45 mL) of the reserved oil. Add to quinoa and season with salt and pepper. Stir in arugula, carrots, onions, jalapeno and cilantro. Fold in reserved grapefruit segments; set aside.

Meanwhile, spread grapefruit, lemon, fennel, jalapeno, basil and cilantro onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Top with fillets and season with salt and pepper. Roast in preheated 275 F (135 C) until tip of knife inserted in salmon slides easily through and fillet is slightly opaque, about 20 minutes.

Spoon quinoa salad onto plate and top with salmon to serve. Drizzle with any remaining oil and garnish with Sesame brittle, if using.

Makes 6 servings.

Tip: To make sesame brittle, whisk 1 egg white until foamy. Whisk in 3 tbsp (45 mL) granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp (2 mL) kosher salt, 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each ground fennel and coriander. Stir in 1 cup (250 mL) sesame seeds to coat. Spoon mixture onto parchment paper lined baking sheet in clumps. Bake in preheated 350 F (180 C) oven, stirring occasionally until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool and break into bite size pieces.