Honey Lime Fruit Salad - Best Fruit Salad I've Ever Eaten

It is definitely spring and summer will not be far behind.  Do you find yourself looking for cooler, crunchier food that is quick to prepare and enjoy in warm weather? We certainly do, although I could eat soup every day no matter the temperature.  But, that's just me.

Salads are something that we seem to eat more of in warm weather and anything with fruit.  Fruit can be light and refreshing and there are so many wonderful fruits available in summer - peaches, cantaloupe, and watermelon just to name a few.  I can't wait until peaches start coming in!

There are so many things you can do with fruit.  It can be a dessert, a snack or a main course.  It is also good for you and provides a lot of necessary minerals and vitamins.  The best way to get a healthy range of antioxidants, which are so important in keeping us healthy,  is to eat fruits and vegetables representing all colors of the rainbow.  Look at how bright and colorful this fruit salad is!  That is an excellent indication of the health value of what you are eating.  Hot weather can also cause potassium loss from excessive perspiration and fruit can be a great potassium replacement.  You should also have 2 - 4 servings of fruit daily according to the most current food pyramid.

This fruit salad is now my most favorite way to eat fruit!  The recipe comes from Mel's Kitchen Cafe and I made it for Easter dinner.  We have 5 young grandsons living in town and they were coming for an Easter egg hunt and dinner.   Fruit is something they will all eat so I decided to put it on the menu sans poppy seeds.  They would have taken one look at all those little black seeds and announced they did not want any.  I, on the other hand, love poppy seeds, but we do what we can to get everyone to eat.  Let me tell you, this recipe is easy AND delicious which is a great combination.  Here is what you need:

Ingredients

1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, well drained (or you can use  2 cups of fresh pineapple cut into chunks)
1 11 oz can mandarin oranges, well drained
3 ripe kiwi, peeled and sliced into thick half moons (cut in half and then slice)
1 cup green grapes
1 cup strawberries, quartered (I added a few more)
zest from 1 lime
1 TBSP honey (I use local honey which is supposed to help with allergies)
1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

Combine all fruit in a bowl.  Add lime zest and poppy seeds if you are using them.  Drizzle the honey over the fruit and stir to coat all the fruit.   Refrigerate and serve.

Oh my goodness, this is SOOOO good.  The combination of fruit is outstanding and that hint of lime and the honey is the best "dressing" I have ever had on fruit salad.  We will definitely be having a lot of this recipe this summer.  It would be awesome for a summer brunch, lunch or dinner.  It is so cool and refreshing and super tasty.  Maybe you could serve it with some yogurt or whipped topping and you have a super snack - great for everyone, especially kids!

Give this easy recipe a try.  You are going to be so glad you did.  It is nothing like that fruit cocktail from a can that we used to have as kids.  That stuff almost ruined me on fruit salad forever.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:


A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money.  Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do.  ~P.J. O'Rourke