Fresh Summer Fruit Salad

Ingredients

Fruits (6-8 servings)

• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups fresh pineapple, cored and cubed
• 1½ cups fresh blueberries
• 1½ cups green grapes, halved
• 2 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 large mango, peeled and cubed
• 2 peaches, pitted and sliced
• 1 cup fresh raspberries

Honey-Lime Dressing

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preparing the Fruits

1. Wash and prepare all fruits according to the ingredient list. Pat berries dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture.
2. Cut fruits uniformly to ensure even distribution and attractive presentation. Aim for bite-sized pieces.
3. Handle delicate fruits last – add raspberries and sliced peaches at the end to prevent them from breaking apart during mixing.

Making the Dressing

1. Whisk together lime juice, honey, and lime zest in a small bowl until honey is completely dissolved.
2. Add chopped mint and a pinch of salt. Let the dressing sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Assembling the Salad

1. Combine sturdy fruits first – start with pineapple, grapes, mango, and kiwi in a large serving bowl.
2. Add berries and peaches gently, folding them in carefully to avoid bruising.
3. Drizzle with dressing and toss very gently with clean hands or a large spoon to coat all fruit evenly.
4. Chill for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend and fruit to absorb the dressing.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled as a refreshing dessert or healthy snack
• Perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or barbecue
• Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream for extra richness
• Garnish with additional fresh mint leaves and lime wedges
• Serve alongside vanilla shortbread cookies or graham crackers

Tips for Success

Fruit Selection: Choose fruits that are ripe but still firm. Overripe fruit will become mushy and release too much juice.

Make-Ahead: The salad is best consumed within 2-3 hours of preparation. If making ahead, add delicate fruits like raspberries and peaches just before serving.