Monday, May 10, 2010

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Over a year ago, I stumbled across a honey lime fruit salad recipe and tried it for Dinner Group. It was really unique and I was curious to try it because it used salt in the dressing. I read through all the reviews and people mentioned they liked the salt, so I tried it. And hated it. I thought the dressing tasted great, and then the whole thing was ruined by the stupid salt. So, I decided I would try it again someday, without the salt. And then I forgot about it, until I saw this post on Mel's Kitchen Cafe, and I was reminded to try it again.

I'm so glad I gave it another chance. It's so good. The combination of the lime and honey is perfection. It smells amazing and adds a nice twist on traditional fruit salad. I made a couple of alterations. I hate canned fruit mixed with fresh fruit in a fruit salad. I realize that it's handy in a pinch, when you're short something, but I don't like to mix my fresh fruit with the acidic and mushy taste of canned fruit. Especially canned pineapple. So I subbed fresh pineapple for her canned stuff.

This is so easy and absolutely delicious. You can play with the amount of lime juice and honey, to get the ratio you like best. I like lots of lime, so I used 2 Tbsp. of lime juice and only 1 Tbsp. of honey. You can also play around with the fruit. Blueberries, bananas, starfruit, etc. would also be great fruit to try in here.

Serves 4-6

1/2 of a pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into large chunks (or sub 1 20 oz. can of canned pineapple, drained if you're desperate)
1 can mandarin oranges, drained well (or sub 1 fresh orange, halved, and chopped into large chunks)
2 kiwis, peeled, and cut into large chunks
1 cup grapes, halved
1 cup strawberries, quartered
zest from 1 lime
1-2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1-2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. poppy seeds (optional... but I love the look of the black flecks against the bright fruit)

1. Combine the fruit in a medium to large serving bowl. Toss lightly.

2. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, zest, honey, and poppy seeds. Whisk to combine.

3. Pour the dressing over the fruit and lightly stir to combine. Serve immediately. The strawberries will stain the other fruit and affect the appearance of the salad after awhile, so this salad is best served immediately, if only for aesthetic reasons.

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