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I don't really care much for the ones with dressing. My favorite is pretty basic. Peel and remove the membrane from one red grapefruit and 2 or 3 oranges. (Removing the membrane is a hassle, but well worth it.) Remove the membrane over your bowl to catch any juices. You can break up any large segments, but usually when you stir it all up gently, the large ones will fall apart anyway. Peel and dice 2 apples and add to the bowl. The fruit juices will keep the apples from turning. Halve a couple handfuls of red or green seedless grapes. Toss together and allow to chill and flavors to marry. Chopped nuts of your choice can be added before serving. I don't usually add the nuts, but it does add another texture to the mix. I could eat a whole bowl by myself...and have...LOL! It would be easy to double this up for a crowd.
Like I said, this is a very basic mix, but I just love the flavor of good fruit...why cover it up?
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.
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For catering when I would offer a fruit platter, Erin, I used mostly fruits that would hold up - strawberries, melons, grapes, kiwis, pears, plums, etc. I would prep them and store in separate baggies until ready to plate and serve.
What kind of dressing are you using? If it's fruit based, a nice topping for any fruit salad or platter is shredded Parmesan cheese and a light sprinkling of black pepper. does that help any?
A couple of dressing ideas -
Toss strawberry jelly with half as much balsamic vinegar or fruit juice to make a light and piquant salad dressing.
DRIZZLE THE MIXTURE OVER FRESH FRUIT
Poppy seed dresssing:
1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Dry Mustard
2 teaspoons Salt
2/3 cup White Vinegar
3 TBSP Grated Onion and Juice
2 cups Canola Oil
3 TBSP Poppy Seeds
Retired and having fun writing cookbooks, tasting wine and sharing recipes with all my friends.
www.achefsjourney.com
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Thank you Jean, Bill and Daphne. Jean, I really will try that strawberry Jelly and Vinegar/fruit juice. THat sounds great. Maybe with a little fresh mint? I love mint in my fruit salads. My mom and sister always made the poppy seed one. It is good.
Daphne I have always been of the mind to just dress with fruit juice. Why mess with the fruit and add more calories. But sometimes a little different flavor especially with winter fruit, is good. I always need to appeal to small children too! I usually use apples, pears, grapes, canned mandarin oranges, bananas (sometimes) and strawberries if I can get them.
Bill - weird about the Kiwi. I enjoy them. My husbands grandparent had a simmilar reaction to the peel of Mango - or was it guava? When I pick strawberries my arms break out in a rash - green beens too. I have no idea why - it is from my bare arms brusing on the leaves.
This is the dressing I was going to try. My Mother in Law makes it and has gotten good comments. I haven't tried it yet.
FRUIT SALAD DRESSING
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbs flour
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon rind
1/2 cup sugar
Combine all ingredients and stir over low heat, cooking until thickened. Cool. Pour over fruit.
Erin
Mom to three wonderful 7th graders!
The time is flying by.