Joy the Baker

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

March 22, 2010

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

I’ve learned a handful of things the twenty eight years I’ve been in the world.  Really just a handful of things… the rest I’m just making up as I go along.

One of the things I’ve learned:  serving someone a segmented grapefruit for breakfast has got to be one of the most loving things you can do.  It’s right up there with turning down the sheets or drawing someone a bath.  Real life romance.

I know… I know… it’s just a grapefruit, but if you’ve ever segmented a grapefruit for someone other than yourself than you know… it’s love.  No joke.

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

I don’t want to be chained to my measuring cups and teaspoons every time I step into my kitchen.

Sometime I just want to add some dashes and sprinkles… you know?  This recipe is not so much a recipe as it is suggestion.

Have you ever had a broiled grapefruit?  It’s like grapefruit creme brulee.  The brown sugar melts and browns beautifully and the flesh warms slightly.  Super simple and super delicious.

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

So… I definitely ate this warm and straight out of the pan.

Broiled Grapefruit with brown sugar and ginger

serves 1

Print this Recipe!

1 grapefruit, cut in half and segmented with a grapefruit knife

2 to 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, you can eyeball it

a few generous sprinkles of ground ginger

Set the oven to broil and place a rack on the top shelf of the oven.  You want the grapefruit to be as close as possible to the broiler heat.

Halve and segment a grapefruit.  You may need to trim the bottoms of the grapefruit so it sits up straight.

Place in a broiler safe pan and sprinkle with brown sugar and ginger.  Place in the oven under the broiler.  Bake for 5 to  7 minutes, keeping an eye on it as it cooks.  Feel free to rotate the pan as the grapefruit browns.

Remove from oven and serve warm or at room temperature.  Be sure to squeeze all the juice out when you’re done eating.  It’s the best part!


87 Comments Add A Comment

  • You are SO right! It is very time-consuming, and definitely a work of love!!! This recipe looks lovely–thanks!

  • I have only ever broiled grapefruit by itself, but adding ginger sounds incredible!

  • Mmmm…broiled grapefruit with brown sugar is one of my favorite treats on a cold winter morning. I will have to try it with the ginger next time!

  • yum! am I allowed to eat this for breakfast?! it seems a bit sinful, but probably worth it :)

  • I’ve never thought of broiling a grapefruit, but will definitely give it a try.

    By the way, I couldn’t eat a grapefruit without a double-sided grapefruit knife. It cuts around the curve of the fruit AND cuts between the membranes like a dream! http://www.amazon.com/Pampered-Chef-Grapefruit-Knife-1265/dp/B00156C074

  • My mom used to section grapefruit for me in the mornings when I was a kid. It’s still one of my favorite things to eat, even though I have to cut it myself these days.

  • I would never have thought of this, but it looks so incredible. I will have to pick up some grapefruit tonight!

  • well i never! grapefruit has been one of my breakfast indulgences lately, and to think that you can broil it with a little brown sugar and ginger and have an even more delectable treat! oh my.

  • I usually don’t buy grapefruits because they are so time consuming to cut, but for you I’ll try.
    I’m noticeing that you inspire me to do a lot I would not normally do. :) I like that!

  • Oh mY Word – that is brilliant! My daughter’s most favourite fruit is grapefruit! I wish we had a grapefruit orchard – she eats tonnes of the stuff!! She told me when she gets older she wants to have a tattoo of a flamingo wearing highland dancing shoes eating a grapefruit! She’s nine! We’ll see if she ever gets that tattoo – in the meantime, I’ll be broiling her a grapefruit!

  • Yowsah! This I have to try. I didn’t think grapefruit could get any better but now I know better:)

  • I just heard a girl at a “farmer’s market” in Somerville this weekend talking about this! I can’t wait to try it! I’m not really a fan of grapefruit but she said this was to die for, and your pictures don’t lie :)

  • I love grapefruit but have never broiled it before… I can’t wait to try this! My mom used to segment my grapefruit when I was little, it is definitely an act of love!

  • I don’t usually like grapefruit at all, but maybe with some brown sugar and ginger.. it would be worth a try :)

  • That flavor combo sounds unique and fabulous!!!

  • Confession: I have never had a grapefruit! (gasp) I may have to try this. My boyfriend has one every morning with his eggs, so I will definitely pass this along to him!

  • Nicole Chalecki March 22, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    I am totally trying this after dinner tonight :) It sounds incredible!

  • so excited to try this! i have a ton of grapefruit at home. this is most definitely my breakfast for tomorrow.

  • Danielle Smith March 22, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    My Florida mother in law introduced me to broiled grapefruit- my husband ate them a lot as a kid. When we go down to visit she just picks them off a tree for us to eat for breakfast. Coming from the north I had never heard of this before but I live the combo and am thankful she introduced it to me. When I an out I’d brown sugar I sometimes use maple syrup- just as delish!!!

  • Wow, thanks, what a flashback! My dad used to break out his special grapefruit knife and treat us on the weekend to an easy to eat grapefruit sprinkled with sugar and watch it disappear into the grapefruit. Don’t judge, but me and my sister were young (very young) and we’d wear them as hats afterwards:)

  • I love the last picture, with the little seeds just so.

    (I had no idea there were special knives for grapefruits.)

  • I am engaged to someone who claims to be “not big on sweet treats.” I find this freakish and unnatural, and I’m more willing to believe that he is actually just lying about it.

    I do know, though, that he loves him some grapefruit. And I have a feeling that if I were to make this one day, he’d be instantly obsessed. I try to trick him into eating “sweets” a lot, actually, but I really think this one is going to be turn him to the sweetside permanently. I can’t wait!

  • I’ve never ever segmented a grapefruit before! I always eat them like oranges! This sounds delish though, you had me when you said it was like a grapefruit creme brulee!

  • This sounds fantastic – I especially love the addition of ginger. I will definitely have to make these soon!

  • This used to be a really trendy starter in the 70′s!! I remember my Mom serving them.

  • The broiled grapefruit is a great idea!

  • Thanks for the idea, Joy! I sat down at the computer to put off figuring out dinner, and there was your lovely picture of grilled grapefruit! You inspired our dinner of grapefruit (with cinnamon instead of ginger), steel cut oats with dried apricots and walnuts, and sausage. Everyone was so happy! I love having breakfast for supper.

  • I love the way broiled grapefruit gets even more juicy. My husband has always eaten his grapefruit with salt sprinkled on it, yuck!

  • Oh this sounds so delicious. Too bad I just ate my last grapefruit last night. Next time it will be on my “to try” list.

  • why have i never heard of this??! i LOVE grapefruit, and i LOVE cooked fruit.
    you are fantastic. i will definately eat this soon :)

  • This recipe IS Christmas morning to me. My mom would cut and section grapefruit for all of us – now that is love!

  • Broiled brulée grapefruit with ginger is one of my favorite things in the world! It’s warm, juicy and delicious and yet it feels healthy because it’s a grapefruit! Actually, during a really tough battle with the cold/flu last year, I learned that it’s great when you’re feeling sick. I never thought to segment it first though! This is awesome.

  • This sounds so good right now! Such a good idea and so simple too!

  • Heather @ chiknpastry March 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Nope. Never broiled grapefruit. But I can imagine it’s lovely just like all kinds of other broiled fruits I have tried! And the Ginger, perfect addition! Tell yur sis her city rocks- I’m there now and using free wifi in a coffee shop to catch up on some of my google reader on my lil iPhone!

  • If you don’t want the grapefruit to roll all over the pan… you can also just stick them on muffin tins! It works great!

  • This looks bright, yummy, and so simple. Love this idea!

  • Just wondering about those lovely burnished pan juices, do they turn bitter or are they good to pour back on top of the grapefruit?

  • I made this last week (sans ginger) and haven’t gotten around to posting it yet! Isn’t it the best??!!

  • Delicious…we had this last night!

  • I usually prefer my grapefruit unadorned, but since discovering your blog I have become a wee bit obsessed and now refer to it the others would the gospel (too much?). I think I am going to have to try it out next time.

  • Another way to serve grapefruit…I’ll have to try that one day.

  • I love the simpleness of this recipe! I am going to make this RIGHT NOW!

  • I have never heard of this! I eat grapefruit all the time though, so I must try this!

    Have you tried the grapefruit knife from Crate and Barrel? It is the best invention ever! It is a double sided knife, one end is a slightly curved traditional knife to go around the circumference. The other end is a double knife, so two blades surround each membrane. Seriously, it is the best thing ever!

    Thanks for the great idea, I can’t wait to try it.

  • I have grapefruit every morning. I heart grapefruit. I must admit I’ve never tried broiling it though. Sounds interesting. Thanks for the idea!

  • This recipe is so perfect! I can’t wait to try it!

  • This looks amazing!

  • I often forget that I can cook fruit. I know – weird. I appreciate the subtle reminder that my broiler loves grapefruit, and I should make this immediately.

  • I’ve only had grapefruit once and thought it was insanely bitter, I wonder if I would like this?

  • I just received a box of grapefruits from Florida. Love broiling them – now I will try the ginger. Sounds delicious!!

  • I don’t eat grapefruit but this one I might try!

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