The Lazy Vegetarian

Recipe: Fruit Salad, the Lazy Way

You may have noticed that I often serve a "fruit salad" about once a week, often when I serve a traditional breakfast type food for dinner.  Following is a mix-and-match recipe for fruit salad options.


Select 2 or more fruits

Yes, two or more.  Most people think of fruit salad as needing a huge variety of fruits, which is delicious, but is also a lot of work.  But, just a few fruits can also be great.  Think strawberry and kiwi, pear and orange, or apple and blackberry.  Or select a trio of similar fruits: summer berries, winter citrus, or melons.

Add exotic

If you are big fruit eaters like us, these may be common in your house, but, if not, try some less common fruits like mangoes, papayas, figs, starfruit, cherimoya, kumquats, persimmons, pomegranate seeds, etc.  Just one can make a fruit salad extra special.  Find what is in season, so they taste best and the price isn't exorbitant.

Add canned

It's quick and easy to fill out a fruit salad with some canned or jarred fruits - pineapple and mandarin oranges are great choices, but really any fruit in juice works.

Add dried

A handful of dried fruit (chopped if needed) is great in a fruit salad, whether it's a basic like raisins or dried cranberries, or something less common like papaya, blueberries, or cantaloupe.

Think beyond fruit

Sure, we call it a fruit salad, but you can also add vegetables (jicama, cucumber, fennel, or grated carrots for example) or nuts/seeds!  Yum.

Now dress it

(1)  In a hurry - just splash the fruit with a juice like lemon, lime, orange, or pineapple.

(2)  Try my favorite.  1 small container Greek yogurt, 1 - 2 Tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 - 1 Tbsp honey (or other sweetener).  To really perk it up, add 1 tsp - 1 Tbsp cinnamon, cardamon, allspice, etc. 

(3)  Or for a real taste treat - lime juice, chili powder, and salt!  Especially good on a mix of tropical fruits.

posted by Annie at 12:00 PM