| This is a wonderful salad that I make at least two | | | | * Hunk of Extra Sharp Kraft Cheddar Cheese |
| or three times a week. It consists of all fresh fruit | | | | Balsamic Dressing |
| except for the mandarin oranges. We happen to | | | | * ¼ cup orange juice |
| have a wonderful grocery store nearby with a | | | | * ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar |
| fantastic produce department. This recipe may be | | | | * 2 ½ tablespoons water |
| difficult for those who do not have access to | | | | * 1 ½ tablespoons honey |
| gorgeous, ripe, sensational fruit at their grocery | | | | * ¾ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper |
| store or farmer's market. | | | | * ½ teaspoon salt |
| Our produce market not only offers fresh fruit, | | | | Place dressing ingredients in a jar, place lid on jar, |
| but prepared fresh fruit in plastic containers that is | | | | and shake vigorously to mix. Chill thoroughly. |
| very high quality such as berries, watermelon, | | | | Wash fruit (except bananas and kiwis) and dry. |
| cantaloupe, and fresh pineapple. We buy these | | | | When ready to eat, place salad plates on counter. |
| containers often. They make great healthy | | | | Peel kiwis, slice and add to each salad plate. |
| snacks for kids and an easy fruit addition to a | | | | Repeat with bananas. Peel oranges and divide into |
| cereal breakfast. | | | | sections, adding some to each plate. Slice apples |
| This salad is incredibly easy, and my family enjoys | | | | leaving peeling intact. Slice nectarines, leaving |
| it for breakfast just as much as for lunch or | | | | peeling on the fruit, cutting chunks around the pit |
| dinner. | | | | trying not to waste any flesh. Arrange nicely on |
| Ingredients can vary based on what is available | | | | the salad plates. Drain mandarin oranges, saving |
| and of good quality. Because of the number of | | | | juice for a fruit smoothie or grilling sauce. Divide |
| different fruits used, you do not need large | | | | the mandarin oranges among the plates. Place |
| amounts of any specific fruit to feed the family. | | | | grapes on the plates intermingling with the other |
| It is basically a "sampling" of several fruit varieties. | | | | ingredients. Slice chunks of cheddar cheese and |
| You do not have to limit yourself to these fruits, | | | | place them on the plates. The cheese goes fast, |
| or feel that you have to use all of them. It is | | | | so include 3 or 4 chunky slices. At this point, you |
| strictly a matter of choice and what is available. | | | | can chill uncovered for a bit. When ready to eat, |
| Fruit Salad (Fresh Fruit except for mandarin | | | | shake chilled balsamic dressing vigorously to remix |
| oranges) | | | | and pour lightly over the entire fruit salad. |
| * Nectarines | | | | Delicious! |
| * Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries (optional | | | | Variation: if you are not a balsamic dressing fan, |
| and if in season) | | | | and I cannot imagine why you would not be, but |
| * Chunked honeydew or cantaloupe (prepared) | | | | if not, I will do my best to understand. You can |
| * Bananas | | | | omit the balsamic dressing. Instead, add a few |
| * Seedless Grapes | | | | dollops of quality vanilla flavored yogurt to the top |
| * Naval Oranges (those large big healthy Naval | | | | of the salads. Dannon and Stonyfield are my |
| Oranges!) | | | | favorite yogurts. Enjoy! |
| * Kiwis (ripe kiwis, not squishy but they "give" a | | | | REPRINT RIGHTS statement: This article is free |
| little when gently pressed) | | | | for republishing by visitors provided the Author |
| * Apple Sections | | | | Bio box is retained as usual so that all links are |
| * Mangos | | | | Active/Linkable with no syntax changes. |
| * Mandarin Orange Sections (canned in juice) | | | | |