I have to tell you about this fruit salad—it’s like sunshine in a bowl, really. Imagine biting into a crisp apple, then a juicy mango, and suddenly you’re hit with a zesty lime zing that makes your taste buds do a happy dance. It’s as if Mother Nature herself decided to throw a colorful party, and the invite list is all your favorite fruits, drizzled with honey and lime for that extra touch of magic.
Steps
- Begin by chopping the strawberries, pineapple, kiwis, and mandarin oranges, and slice the grapes in half. Place all the prepared fruits into a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together honey, lime zest, and lime juice until well combined to create the dressing.
- Just before serving, pour the honey-lime dressing over the mixed fruits and gently toss everything together to ensure even coating. If desired, you may add sliced bananas at this stage. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 pound fresh pineapple, chopped
- 12 ounces fresh blueberries
- 12 ounces red grapes, halved
- 4 kiwis, peeled and chopped
- 3 mandarin oranges (or 1 can of 15 ounces mandarin oranges in juice or light syrup, drained)
- 2 bananas, sliced (optional)
- Honey (for the dressing)
- Lime zest (for the dressing)
- Lime juice (for the dressing)
Nutritional Values
Calories 163 | Sodium 4mg | Potassium 456mg | Carbohydrates 41g | Fiber 4g | Sugar 31g | Protein 1g | Vitamin A 300IU | Vitamin C 96.4mg | Calcium 42mg | Iron 0.8mg
FAQ
- Can I use frozen fruit for this salad?
- It’s recommended to use fresh fruit for the best texture and flavor. Frozen fruit tends to become mushy and watery once thawed, which may not yield the best results for this salad.
- Is it possible to prepare this fruit salad in advance?
- You can prepare the fruit salad in advance by chopping the fruits (except bananas) and making the dressing a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, bring the dressing to room temperature and mix it with the fruit.
- What are some tips for making the perfect fruit salad?
- Use a variety of fresh, ripe fruits for a vibrant flavor and color. Plan ahead for fruits like pineapple and kiwi, which may take time to ripen. If using bananas, add them just before serving to prevent browning. For the lime zest, use a zester instead of a cheese grater to avoid the bitter white pith.
- Can I substitute honey in the dressing?
- If there’s an allergy or preference, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or brown rice syrup, although honey is recommended for the best flavor.
- What fruits can be substituted in this recipe?
- While the recipe calls for strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, mandarin oranges, and bananas, you can substitute with other seasonal fruits you have on hand, such as mangoes or other berries.
Tips
- Choose a variety of fresh, ripe fruits to add flavor and vibrant color to your salad. Plan ahead for fruits like pineapple and kiwi, which may need time to ripen.
- When zesting the lime for the dressing, use a zester instead of a cheese grater to avoid the bitter white pith of the peel.
- Add bananas right before serving to prevent them from browning, or consider leaving them out if the salad won’t be served immediately.
- Prepare the fruit and dressing up to a day in advance, but keep them separate until just before serving to ensure the salad stays fresh and visually appealing.
Equipment
- Zester – For zesting the lime without getting the bitter pith.
- Mixing Bowls – One large for the fruit and a small one for the dressing.
- Whisk – For mixing the honey, lime zest, and lime juice dressing.
