Fruits usually consist of a number of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that assist in remaining healthy. It has been suggested that we should eat at least 5 pieces of fruit every day so that we get the total health benefits of eating a fruit. Salads can contain all types of fruits as mentioned if prepared in a tasty way. Any number of fruits like apples, raspberries, grapes, berries, peaches and mangoes etc. can be used in a fruit salad. There are different types of fruit salad. Dressings are one of the main processes in preparing a salad. Coconut, cheese, raisins and yogurt are often used for the dressing.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time required: 15 minutes
Estimated cost: $12.00
Resources required:
1. A sweet and crunchy apple.
2. An orange.
3. one cup seedless grapes.
4. one cup fresh berries.
5. 4 oz. vanilla, peach or strawberry yogurt.
Instructions:
The making of the salad is simple:
The salad is simple to make because all one has to do is just cut your favorite fruits and include a few unique, healthy, extras to make it one of the tastiest dishes you have ever eaten. It totally satisfies your taste buds and is equally extremely healthy for those born with a sweet tooth. It always becomes a star food item for any dining occasion and as this homemade fruit salad is brilliant to taste.
1. Choose the fruits carefully:
First choose the fruits that your family or friends would love to eat. Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, grapefruit, strawberries, apricots, peaches, cranberries, pineapples or even nuts. All the fruits must be washed and peeled. No seeds should be left in the fruit pieces. The apple need not be peeled but it depends on individual taste and preferences. When this dessert is made for children, it is better to peel the apple as some children have difficulty in digesting the peel. Many people either do not use banana as it becomes a bit mushy and black or you may add it later after taking the salad out from the refrigerator. You may use your imagination and use yogurt that is flavored like vanilla, or may be a fruit flavor that goes well with the fresh ingredients. Usually that sort of a flavor of the yogurt is used as that of the seasonal fruit. Strawberry yogurt is used with fresh strawberries or peach yogurt when fresh peaches are available in that season.
2. Preparation of the dessert:
The fruits should be cut into small sized pieces and placed in a moderate sized mixing bowl that will make it easy for you to stir the yogurt into the fruit. A spatula or a large serving spoon should be used to fold in the yogurt in to the fruit. When the total mixture is consistently covered with the yogurt, cautiously place the fruit down into the dish. Do not crush it, but pack it. Next, cover the dish with some cover or lid. After that, keep it inside the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours before serving. Nuts chopped into large pieces and raisins add to the taste and are healthy for all. It enhances the variety and color of the dish. Coconut is often added during winter to give a snowy feeling. You may sprinkle some cinnamon powder, or use nutmeg for a great taste.
3. The dressing of the salad:
You will surely want to prepare a fruit salad that will not only stay fresh-looking but will also be tasty too. The salad should not only taste good, but be fat free and healthy, as well. The secret lies in the dressing or the topping that is put in the end.
4. A Healthy Homemade Dessert.
The uniqueness about this recipe is that it can be made in many variations giving you options to eat all sorts of fruits. Those who like fruits can experiment with fresh fruit salads, though some people also use canned fruits too.
FAQs:-
1. Should the fruits be chopped in different sizes?
Though it is not compulsory, yet try to cut the fruits in same sizes as presentation of the dish really matters.
2. When should the fruits be cut?
Cut the fruits just before preparing the salad as fruits may change in both color and taste if cut much earlier.
3. Should the fruits be mixed in the yogurt?
No, actually it is the other way round. The yogurt is usually folded carefully in the fruits.
Quick tips:
1. Take the fruits, then wash and drain them. This will help in cutting into pieces as water will not drip.
2. See that the yogurt should not be too thick. It will be difficult to fold it in the fruits.
3. In case you are in a real hurry, it is better to go for canned fruits as this will save the time to cut the fruits into pieces.
Things to watch out for:
1. You must use a sharp knife to cut the fruits into cubical pieces.
2.Try not to cut the fruits too early. They usually take a blackish color after sometime.
3. Watch out to see that the yogurt doesn’t curdle. This will spoil the entire effort.
This recipe is made for special occasions such as a dinner party, birthday, anniversary special or any occasion where both the adults and kids have been invited together. Kids genuinely love this healthy fruit salad and often take in great amounts, which is not harmful. So, get the apples, oranges and rest of the ingredients and to start with give your family the first and best treat. You are sure to get a lot of compliments too.
