'Tis the Season for Citrus

Frame 282

Frame 282

In the Southern portion of the U.S., the fall and winter months are prime time for citrus growing, with orange, grapefruit, and lemon crops at their peak from September/October until June. Despite the colder-than-normal temperatures this year, the USDA still expects Florida citrus trees to put forth around 19.6 million boxes of grapefruit, 4.4 million boxes of tangerines and a whopping 138 million boxes of oranges. Make these fruits the star of your meal -- they'll add refreshing bursts of flavor sure to liven up the drab winter months.

One slice into a juicy blood orange and you will see where these radiant red fruits get their name. Make a sweet-and-tangy, crimson-colored reduction out of them for Food.com's Baby Lamb Chops With Blood Orange Sauce.

Giada’s Grapefruit, Onion, and Basil Salad is an inventive twist on the summer fruit salad. Salty black olives and crunchy red onions pair perfectly with sweet balsamic vinegar and tangy grapefruit.

Fresh juice from ripe tangerines add zesty flavors to Food2.com’s Tangerine and Cardamom Glazed Roasted Winter Vegetables. Serve this alongside the Lamb Chops With Blood Orange sauce for an elegant and creative dinner.

To end your meal, try Emeril’s Lemon and Blueberry Tea Cake from The Cooking Channel. This cinnamon-spiked sweet treat is a cinch to make.

Next Up

’Tis The Season for Cinnabon Frosting Pints

You can now indulge in the chain’s signature cream cheese frosting by the spoonful.

‘Tis the Season of Holiday Wish Lists and Watch Lists

Unwrap loads of festive finales and cheery holiday weekends. The more the merrier this December!

3 Creative Ways to Cook Eggplant Before The Season Ends

Eggplant is satisfyingly shape-shifting — and there's still plenty of time to experiment with it.

Celebrate the Season with a Fresh Batch of Holiday Programming

Bobby Flay and more of your favorite Food Network stars are bringing a bunch of holiday cheer.

'Tis the Season for Sweet Competition on Cake Wars: Christmas

Get all the details on the upcoming premiere of Cake Wars: Christmas, hosted by Jonathan Bennett.

Warm up for the Season

Fill your home with festive scents and decor that will take you from autumn to winter. Here are 3 simple and cozy ideas to help you ease into the holiday season.

Who's Your Favorite Star of the Season?

Twelve hopeful finalists have dreams of stardom, but only one will earn the title. Vote for your favorites up to 10 times per day here.