Chicken, Brussels Sprouts, Grapefruit: One sheet pan dinner

Grapefruit with Chicken and Brussels Sprouts is an easy healthy sheet pan dinner!

Is it just me or is it dark?

Like all the time? Winter dark.

Dark when the alarm jolts. Dark after work. Im scrambling to get a few things done outside on the weekend or else using a headlamp.

Thankfully, one of the bright spots about winter is that its citrus season. A juicy orange or grapefruit freshen a gray winter landscape.

A zingy squirt is what I need right. about. now.

More about that in a bit but first

The benefits of vitamin C

Lemons, limes, and tangerines are members of this all-star family that help maintain a strong immune system and protect against heart disease and cancer.

We eat what we see and fruit disappears from a fruit bowl about twice as fast as the fruit in the fridge. So set out a fruit bowl to enjoy the beautiful colors, fresh aroma and juicy freshness. One orange provides 100 percent of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. And since vitamin C must be replenished in our bodies every day, treat yourself to oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit to meet your needs.

Here are a few ideas to get you going

• Add sliced avocado and grapefruit sections to salads.
• Broil a grapefruit half for breakfast or as a dessert.
• Toss fresh orange slices with shredded red cabbage, a little rice wine vinegar and toasted sesame oil.
• Squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon on salads, steamed vegetables, soups and stews.
• Stand over the sink and eata fresh juicy orange!

How to shop for citrus

When you shop, look for fruit heavy for its size, with bright, colorful skin. Most citrus will keep at room temperature for several days. For longer storage, the crisper drawer of your refrigerator is best. Whole fruit should not be frozen, but the fresh-squeezed juice and grated peel or zest may be. Seal some in an airtight container and pop it into the freezer for later.

Citrus is more than vitamin C

You probably know that oranges are terrific source of vitamin C. So are its cousins. Did you know that the word ascorbic, as in ascorbic acid the name for vitamin C means no scurvy? While scurvy was a problem for sea goers centuries ago, its not much of a problem today.

You probably know that citrus is a super source of vitamin C. But did you know that the word ascorbic, as in ascorbic acid the name for vitamin C means no scurvy? While scurvy was a problem for sea goers centuries ago, its not much of a problem today.

But C has some another benefit. It enhances iron absorption. Iron is a shortfall nutrient for many of us.

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption

Overall, we dont absorb iron very well. Iron from animal sources is absorbed two to three times more than from plants. Some compounds, such as oxalic acid in spinach and chocolate, phytic acid in wheat bran and legumes, and tannins in coffee and tea, inhibit plant-based, or non-heme, iron absorption. But eating vitamin C foods and iron-rich foods at the same time help overcome these inhibitors.

Foods high in iron

Beef, chicken, pork, and eggs are some of the better iron source. The darker the color of the meat, the more iron. So dark chicken meat has more than light meat.

Some of the better plant sources of iron are:

• Beans and lentils
• Soybean nuts, tofu
• Baked potatoes
• Cashews
• Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach
• Wheat bran
• Pumpkin seeds
• Iron-enriched breads, pasta, and breakfast cereals. You need to drink the milk in your bowl to get the iron because it washes off the flakes and settles at the bottom of the bowl.

Cast-iron cookware adds iron. Acidic foods, tomato juice, orange juice, and vinegar, help dissolve small amounts of iron from the pot into cooking liquids. So use cast iron for simmered foods, such as chili.

Boost iron absorption with these foods

Here are six vitamin C-iron combinations:

1. kiwi + enriched bran cereal
2. strawberries + oatmeal
3. bell pepper + bean salad
4. peanut butter sandwich on enriched whole-wheat bread + orange
5. spinach + sirloin steak
6. chicken + broccoli

Cooks Note: If youre squeezing for juice, roll room temperature fruit on the counter a few times to maximize the amount of juice.

How to make one sheet pan dinner Grapefruit and Brussels Sprouts Chicken

Zesty grapefruit make chicken and Brussels sprouts a party in your mouth. Even better, these foods deliver top-notch nutrition.

Rich in healthful compounds, Brussels sprouts is a super star for disease prevention. Choose the freshest you can find and look for dark green color with tightly closed sprouts.

Cooks note: The trick to sheet pan cooking is uniform sizes and a hot pan. It saves time and adds flavor.

Heat oven and baking sheet to 425F. Heating the sheet adds flavor because the food starts to caramelize when it hits the hot pan.

In bowl, combine Brussels sprouts, onion, grapefruit juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. When ovenreaches 425F, carefully pour Brussels sprouts onto hot pan. Spread into single layer. Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir chicken, mustard, honey and soy sauce together. When vegetables have cooked 15 minutes, add chicken to sheet pan. Stir all ingredients and spread into a single layer.

Bake 10-15 minutes. Chicken should be 165F. Add grapefruit, bake 5 minutes.

Grab a fork and go ahead and sniff at winter.

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