Citrus Salad With A Tuscan Twist

Contributed by: NAPSA

(NAPSI) - For most people, holiday celebrations have four main ingredients: family, friends, fun and food. That's because many of the season's wonderful memories start in the kitchen.

This year, many families are looking for ways to add something extra to holiday traditions. One way is to add a touch of Tuscany. It's easy to do, since Tuscan life follows nature's lead. Simply celebrate by using olive oil to intensify the flavor of abundant, earthy foods such as butternut squash soups and roasted root vegetables.

For more than 100 years, Carapelli® Olive Oil has been an Italian tradition. Produced in the foothills of Tuscany, it is the number one brand in Italy. The company offers four different types of olive oil (Premium Extra Virgin, Extra Virgin, Mild and Light) for different uses, complimenting nearly every delicacy your imagination can cook up.

Holiday meals can be quite filling, so begin your feast with a lighter Tuscan-style Citrus Salad.

Ingredients:

* 8 cups assorted salad greens
* 2 large grapefruit, peeled and cut crosswise into rounds
* 2 navel oranges, peeled and cut crosswise into rounds
* 4 kiwifruit, peeled and quartered
* 1/4 cup Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 1/4 cup orange juice
* 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Directions:

Arrange salad greens and fruit on individual plates or on a large platter. In small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, honey and pepper. Drizzle over salad and serve immediately.

You can continue the Tuscan theme with bruschetta-toasted bread brushed with olive oil, rubbed with garlic and topped with your favorite spread. Make a Tuscan-style stuffing with couscous, beans, grains, pork meat and herbs. Use olive oil in the stuffing to keep it moist and flavorful. Before adding the stuffing to your turkey, coat the inside of the bird with olive oil to seal in the juices and to add flavor.

Roast vegetables to perfection with Carapelli Mild Olive Oil to maximize and sweeten their natural flavor. Simply brush the vegetables, including squashes, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts with the olive oil and bake at 450 until tender.

In your holiday baking, substitute light olive oil for other cooking oils or for margarine or butter. Carapelli Light Olive Oil is an excellent choice because of its subtle flavor. When substituting olive oil for solid shortening, reduce the amount by 25 percent.

Not only does it add flavor, but baking with olive oil can save calories and reduce saturated fat. Nut breads and spice cakes are especially flavorful when baked with olive oil.

Serving Size: Serves 4-6.