When we think of tangy, sour, sweet, juicy, colorful, refreshing – we think oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes, grapefruit. We think citrus fruits.

Citrus fruits have a high citric acid content and are typically round or elongated with a juicy, fleshy pulp surrounding their seeds. The peel of citrus fruits is leathery, the outermost layer of which is called ‘zest. They are an excellent source of the immune boosting Vitamin C. They are also a good source of potassium, folate, and fiber.

Health benefits of citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are good for the body as well as the skin and hair. Here are some of the benefits of these fruits.

If life gave you a lemon, you don’t always have to make lemonade.

Here are some interesting recipes that can be made using these citrus fruits

Citrus salad dressing

Dressings of a salad are the most important part since it binds all the flavors together. Here is a recipe for a simple, light and refreshing salad dressing that is perfect when you want to avoid any cheese or mayonnaise-based dressings.

Take 4 tbsp lemon juice, 4 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp finely chopped garlic, ½ tsp black salt, salt to taste.

Whisk all these ingredients in a large bowl till It is completely mixed and use it to dress a salad of your choice. This tastes best with a green salad or salads with boiled moong or channa or chole.

Honey and orange chicken/ potato

Ingredients

250 gms. boneless chicken or boiled baby potato,1 cup fresh orange juice,3 tbsp soya sauce,4 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp chopped garlic, 1 tsp ginger paste, ½ tsp pepper, Salt to taste

Procedure

Take some oil in a pan and add the ginger paste and garlic. To that add the pieces of chicken or potato. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on a slow flame till the chicken/potato is cooked the sauce has reduced to a sticky glaze.

Orange peel face mask

Ingredients

1 tbsp of orange peel powder, 1 tbsp of multani mitti or fullers earth, 1 tbsp of rose water

Procedure

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl to form a paste-like consistency. You might need to adjust the quantity of rose water accordingly. Using a brush or your fingers apply a layer all over your face and let it fry. It would take 20 to 30 minutes. Then using an ice cube, wet your face and slowly scrub the pack for 2-3 minutes(you can skip this step too). Rinse with water.

Benefits

The face pack deep cleanses your face and removes blackheads and whiteheads and protects oily & combination skin from breakouts.

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Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash, Photo by Eszter Biró on Unsplash, kirbiecravings.com