Any Arizona native can tell you that this is the best time of year for citrus and for the month of January I’ll be giving you refreshing, pucker worthy recipes to utilize these tangy fruits.

To start off the new year right, try this light simple salad. Splash it with your favorite anise liqueur like Ouzo for dessert or try something exotic that pairs great with citrus like Arak. You can skip the hooch all together and serve over Greek yogurt and some granola for a healthy breakfast.

This recipe uses blood oranges and pink grapefruits but navel oranges and tangerines would be great additions as well. Toss in a cinnamon stick or some cardamom pods to the syrup for a lovely floral flavor.

Citrus Salad with Star Anise

Makes 8 servings

4 blood oranges

5 ruby red or pink grapefruits

3 whole star anises

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

Dissolve sugar in water in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring. Add star anise and simmer 5 minutes. Let stand off heat 30 minutes.

Peel fruit, including white pith, with a sharp knife. Cut segments free from membranes or slice lengthwise into a bowl. Squeeze any excess juice into bowl.

Add syrup with star anise to fruit and juice and stir gently. Remove star anise before serving if desired.

Salad can be prepared 1 day ahead, covered with plastic and chilled.

Click below for a printable version of this recipe