Pretty and Sweet Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit.....so good for you!

It's nature's candy is what I tell my daughters and over the years I've been blessed that they like a fair variety of fruits.....they actually enjoyed more as preschoolers than they do now as teens but....at least they still choose fresh fruits when it's on the table or in the fruit bowl.  Of course it helps that we don't buy soda or candy bars.

Fruit is naturally sweet and a fun way to make it is with all fresh fruits and a little surprise.  Here is something new I do, especially now that it's spring when fresh local fruits are more in abundance.

image taken from evernewrecipes.com

COCONUT FRUIT SALAD

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

1 can (small) pineapple chunks, drained

1 banana, sliced

1 Empire Apple (or any of your choice), chopped

1 cantaloupe (melon), halved, scooped then balled or cut into chunks

2 c. fresh watermelon chunks

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

1/4 c. flaked coconut

OR

1/2 c. mini marshmallows

• Place all the fruits into a pretty serving bowl.
• Chill for about 20 minutes.
• Top with the coconut or marshmallows just before serving.

TIPS:  To stop the bananas and apple pieces from turning brown, simply cut them first and place in a small bowl of lemon juice. Once the other fruits are cut and in the serving bowl, simply drain the small bowl and add the bananas/apples to the serving bowl!

This fruit salad does NOT have to be chilled but that is how we like it!

During the summer months, I leave out the bananas and apples, and replace them with blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.  (for the girls, I add strawberries as they don't care for the other berries).  This salad is one in which YOU can decide just what fruits to use.  Our favorite way is the one printed above plus the blueberries.

I often serve this with cinnamon pancakes OR cappuccino muffins for breakfast.  I also serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, cucumber-tomato salad, and piping hot garlic bread. Makes a super easy, light summer meal!

OTHER TIPS:  neither of my girls like coconut or mandarin oranges so I serve them a bit of the salad in little bowls minus the oranges and with marshmallows rather than the shredded coconut.

ENJOY!!