From ice cream cones to strawberry short cake there are plenty of appealing desserts throughout the summer months. While there may be a host of sweets vying for a place on your plate, there is one seasonal snack you shouldn’t overlook: fruit salad.
While biting into an apple or peeling a banana might not sound as appealing as digging into a cookie dough ice cream cone, chances are that a strawberry kiwi fruit salad with vanilla yogurt topping just might.
Here are a few tips from my own kitchen on how to make a summertime fruit salad dessert:
1) Pick a “base” fruit and then add additional ingredients from there: Think of a typical tossed salad- lettuce is generally the first ingredient and then other ingredients, such as tomatoes and croutons, are added more sparingly. Pick one affordable and easy to prepare fruit and make that the most plentiful ingredient in your fruit salad. Grapes, watermelons, and bananas all make great bases in fruit salads because they taste yummy with a variety of other fruits.
2) Don’t be afraid to add toppings to your fruit salad: Cool whip, raisins, and yogurt make for great additions. And an added bonus- yogurt will help keep bananas and apples from turning brown once cut.
3) Pick fruits that are in season: Berries, melons and peaches are just a few of the many fruits that reach their peak during summer’s warm months. Picking fruits that are in season promotes natural farming methods and means that the fruits you pick will be at their sweetest. Summer season fruits also include cherries, nectarines and mangos.
While it might seem hard to imagine replacing ice cream with fruit for dessert, you might be surprised at how delicious a fruit salad can be when it’s done right. With sweet in-season options, a touch of yogurt, and a variety of fruits you just might find your family asking for more “dessert”.
Bethany Schneider began writing professionally for a web-tv marketing firm while in college. She has since written for a number of publications, events, and blogs. She currently works in the event industry and is happily married to her prince charming and blogs about their life together at bethanyschneider.blogspot.com.
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Bethany, and so good for us! Fresh pineapple, cut grapes with the juice of an orange squeezed over all and left in 'frig for about an hour or two - simply amazing snack!!!!
I agree and isn't that one of the best parts of fruit salad? -Make a big bowl, keep it in the fridge and an easy, healthy snack is ready for eating whenever hunger strikes.
The best part of summer is afordable fruit. Thanks for the reminder.
You're welcome! Isn't it great when a good price meets good health? Thanks for the comment!
I know this is "hope for women" mag, but I wanted to chime in as a guy - I have to say that fresh fruit is one of my favorite desserts of all time. Great call on the yogurt topping as well. If any readers haven't tried adding a little yogurt to your fruit salad you should do so immediately.
Well said, Mike!
Great job, B! Readers can feel safe in knowing that you know what you're talking, I know that from personal experience. What wonderful tips for the summer
Thanks, Caitlin!