Recipe of the Week: Tomato Basil Soup

Well, what can we say? As expected, last week's little peek at spring was just that - a peek. We hope you made the most of it!

Now, before you go back under that blanket to wait out the rest of the winter, it might be a good idea to take some sustenance with you. And what could be better on a cold February day than a piping hot bowl of tomato soup? OK, maybe a piping hot bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich... mmmm. Well, we aren't going to go outside our area of expertise and tell you how to make the sandwich, but we sure can help with the soup part!  (The tomato is a fruit, after all).

Normally, we like to go with fresh produce, but with local tomato season a ways off, we'll make an exception for this exceptional recipe. It's so quick and easy you'll be back under that blanket in no time!

Tomato Basil Soup

You need:

• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 18 fresh basil leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and chicken broth to a boil
2. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
3. Add basil and sugar
4. Reduce to low heat; stir in cream and butter
5. Cook until butter is melted

Find more great fruit recipes on Ruma's web site!

_____________________________________________________

Always have fresh fruit on hand - join Ruma's Royal Fruit Club or purchase a monthly plan for a friend! Shipping is FREE!

Recipe of the Week: Kiwi Sandwich



Whee!

 You'll never guess what we saw today! GRASS! That's right, honest to goodness growin' outta the ground, sproutin' up outta the dirt, smellin' all springy GRASS! If you're from pretty much anywhere in the U.S. that isn't Florida you probably understand our absolute giddiness at this discovery.

Friends, it has been a heck of a brutal winter. And while there may still be 5-foot-tall snowpiles on some street corners, we're gonna celebrate that little swatch of green that has reminded us spring is (fingers crossed) just around the corner. February-March (and, let's face it, April) is a tricky time, weather-wise, in New England and we're gonna savor the morsels of non-freezing temps whenever possible until we're safely in July! So while the thermometer hovers around 60, we're thinking green, we're thinking picnic, we're thinking seasonal fruit. Put all that together and what do you get - kiwi sandwiches! No really! Check this out...

Creamy Kiwi Sandwich

You need:

• 1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup chopped kiwi fruit
• 16 slices whole wheat bread

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together Neufchatel cheese, lemon zest and honey
2. Refrigerate for one day to allow flavors to develop
3. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture over one side of a slice of bread
4. Top with about 2 tablespoons of chopped kiwi fruit, cover with another slice of bread
5. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 8 sandwiches

Find more great fruit recipes on Ruma's web site!

_____________________________________________________

Always have fresh fruit on hand - join Ruma's Royal Fruit Club or purchase a monthly plan for a friend! Shipping is FREE!

Recipe of the Week: Invigorating Grapefruit Salad

Our Hero

Is it still freezing cold outside? We're not sure because we've decided not to leave the house until April. Oh, OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration - but only a bit.  Man, oh man, this winter is really starting to get to us. In our humble opinion, "sub zero" belongs on fancy refrigerators, not our weather reports. And with all this snow, the only exercise we've had since December is shoveling a path from the front door to the car door. Gloomy, sluggish and a little bit paunchy (too much winter comfort food!) - that's us.

But wait, what is this? A light in the darkness... in the form of.... clip art!  This is the boost we've been looking for! We're so used to being around it, that we've overlooked the restorative powers of vitamin C-packed citrus fruit! Mr. Grapefuit here, has given us a fresh, juicy slap in the face. Look how happy he is - a ruddy-cheeked picture of good health. Not to mention a reminder that sunny days are on the way! We'll try not to think about the fact that his drinking of grapefruit juice is probably slightly cannibalistic and focus on finding a tasty grapefruit-centered recipe for you to enjoy.

Ah, here we go:

Crunchy Greens and Grapefruit Salad w/ Sesame Dressing

You need:

• 4 cups salad greens
• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
• 1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
• 1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
• 1/4 cup Catalina salad dressing
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Directions:

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, onion, grapefruit, mushrooms and water chestnuts
2. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Catalina dressing, sesame seeds, sugar and cider vinegar
3. Drizzle dressing over salad; serve immediately

Find more great fruit recipes on Ruma's web site!

_____________________________________________________

Always have fresh fruit on hand - join Ruma's Royal Fruit Club or purchase a monthly plan for a friend! Shipping is FREE!

Recipe of the Week: Easy Guacamole

It's the most wonderful time of the year! OK, maybe the second most wonderful... it's time for "the big game." While it doesn't technically qualify as a holiday, it sure feels like one with all the friends, family and FOOD! Even if your team isn't vying for the title (sniff, sniff) that's no reason not to enjoy yourself.

This week we've got a great recipe to help you do just that, zesty guacamole*  - easy, delicious and always a crowd pleaser. And to our local friends - just try to ignore the fact that it's green... sigh.

Easy Guacamole

You need:

• 3 ripe avocados - peeled, pitted and mashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 plum tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice and salt
2. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes and garlic
3. Stir in cayenne pepper
4. For best flavor, allow to refrigerate for one hour before serving

*yup, the avocado is a fruit

Find more great fruit recipes on Ruma's web site!

_____________________________________________________

Always have fresh fruit on hand - join Ruma's Royal Fruit Club or purchase a monthly plan for a friend! Shipping is FREE!