Citrus Salad with Saffron Dressing

• Recipe by José Andrés

For Andrés, Christmas always means clem­entines, the easy-to-peel citrus with a sweet, apricot-like taste. He pairs them with tart grapefruit in a juicy, refreshing winter salad flavored with a bit of saffron—a common Spanish ingredient.

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2. Pinch of saffron threads
3. 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
4. 6 pink grapefruits
5. 6 navel oranges
6. 3 clementines, peeled
7. 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil. Transfer to a small bowl and crumble in the saffron. Let stand for 10 minutes. Add the orange juice to the saucepan and boil over moderately high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 7 minutes. Add the juice to the saffron oil and let cool.
2. Using a sharp knife, peel the grapefruits and oranges, cutting off all of the bitter white pith; cut the pith from the clementines. Finely chop the clementine and add to the saffron oil, along with the lemon zest. Working over a large, shallow bowl with the oranges and grapefruits, cut in between the membranes to release the sections. Pour the saffron dressing over the sections and stir gently. Serve.