Classic Fruit Salad

There are so many fruit salad recipes out there, and I always wonder why people feel inclined to add to the sweet, juicy goodness with (IMHO) unnecessary ingredients. That's why I come back time and again to this Classic Fruit Salad recipe.

Fruit salad is always in season, so to speak. Whether enjoyed as a side at a BBQ or family picnic, its easy to prep and the kids always like it!

Ingredients:
3 c. freshly chopped fruit (your choice) - I recommend cantaloupe, watermelon, apples, blueberries, grapes and/or strawberries - bananas are good, but tend to brown
1/4 t. cinnamon
1 t. sugar
1 T. lemon juice

Directions:

Place chopped fruit in a serving bowl, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over the top. Add lemon juice and stir a few times to combine.

I suggest you fill up on this classic fruit salad instead of fatty potato chips!

Easy Yogurt Pie

Happy Mother's Day! If you are planning a meal for mom, and you have young children, this is the simplest, no-fuss dessert recipe. Easy Yogurt Pie has just three ingredients. No cracking eggs or measuring a single thing! You won't even turn the oven on.

We serve this all summer long, as it is low-fat and refreshing. Just pick Mom's favorite yogurt flavor - or make a couple pies for variety!

Ingredients:

1 prepared graham cracker pie crust
1 32 oz. container of yogurt (2 pounds) - any flavor, low-fat, non-fat, you choose!
1 16 oz. container of Cool Whip, thawed

Directions:

Remove the wrapping from the graham cracker crust. Leave the crust in the foil container.

Combine the yogurt and Cool Whip. Spoon into the crust. Freeze for 1-2 hours. Remove immediately before serving.

If you like, you can garnish with fresh fruit - sliced strawberries, blueberries, etc. Add a sprig of mint to really dress it up! You may even want to drizzle some chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or decorative sprinkles over the top.

Mom will be so proud - and happy not to have a big mess in her kitchen!

Blueberry Granita

Early summer is here on the High Desert. Its been in the 80s this week, which gets me in the mood for Blueberry Granita. Such a perfect dessert recipe because you can make it 24 hours ahead.

Don't worry, it sounds like much more work than it is. And if blueberries aren't your thing, feel free to replace with raspberries, blackberries, or the like.

Ingredients:

For the Granita:
2 quarts blueberries (or other fresh berries)
1 1/2 c. water (divided)
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3 T. fresh lemon juice

For the Compote:
2 c. sliced strawberries (divided)
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. sugar
1 piece lemon rind (about 2 inches thick)
3/4 c. blueberries (again, replace with other berries above if you aren't going blue)
1 t. fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

Make the granita first, by placing berries in a food processor or blender and processing until smooth (1-2 minutes). Slowly add 1 c. water and continue processing.

Strain the berry mixture through a sieve and discard solid pieces.

Combine 1/2 c. water and 3/4 c. sugar in a saucepan over high heat on the stove. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves. Take the mixture and add 3 T. lemon juice with berry mixture from above. Pour into a 13 x 9 glass baking dish and allow to cool. Freeze for 2 hours, then flake with a fork. Return to freezer and repeat flaking and re-freezing every 30 minutes for 2 hours. Cover and freeze one more time for 1 hour.

Prepare compote by placing 1 c. strawberries in a food processor or blender and processing until smooth. As above, strain through a sieve and discard solids.

Combine 1/2 c. water, 1/3 c. sugar and lemon rind in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute tand then remove from heat. Take out rind and discard.

Add strawberries puree, quartered strawberries, blueberries and 1 t. lemon juice to the saucepan. Stir and then let cool.

To serve... spoon compote into 8 bowls and then top with granita.

This is a wonderful, practically non-fat dessert for under 200 calories!

Easy Corn Salad

10 minutes to a fresh, homemade salad? Not impossible! And this one does not involve ripping open a bag of pre-washed lettuce. Easy Corn Salad is a great accompaniment to grilled entrees and practically screams sunshine. We enjoy this corn salad from April through October.

This recipe serves 4, so I often double it for larger crowds.

Ingredients:

2 c. corn kernels (you can either cut from pre-cooked corn on the cob, or use frozen corn in a pinch)
1 c. chopped zucchini
1/2 c. diced red bell pepper, and/or chopped grape tomatoes
1/2 c. minced green onions
1/4 c. cider vinegar
1 T. Dijon mustard
1 t. granulated sugar
1 T. olive oil
1 T. minced garlic
1/4 t. hot sauce (if desired)

Directions:

In a serving bowl, mix together corn, zucchini, red peppers (or tomatoes) and green onions.

Stir dressing together in a separate medium-sized bowl with remaining ingredients.

Pour over vegetables, mix well and serve.

TIP: In order to allow the flavors to marinate, add dressing to salad about 1/2 hour before serving and refrigerate. Stir again, and serve.

Mango and Melon Salad

Our local farmer's market is just about to open for the season. I cannot wait! With the fresh offerings, I'm going to make our mouth-watering Mango and Melon Salad.

Like many of our recipes, you can get creative with the ingredients.... substitute watermelon with honeydew, or one of my favorites: cantaloupe. That way, you can always use fruit that's in season, and never compromise on taste.

This fruit salad is perfect for brunch, or as a light afternoon snack during the warm days of summer.

Ingredients:

1/4 c. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 T. crystallized ginger
1 T. fresh mint leaves, chopped
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1 small seedless watermelon, scooped with a melon baller
1 ripe mango, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/4 c. sweetened shredded coconut (toasted)
1/3 c. roasted pistachios (unsalted), chopped

Directions:

Spread coconut onto a baking sheet and lightly toast under the broiler for 2-4 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine first four ingredients.

Stir fruit together in a serving bowl, then pour dressing over the top. Sprinkle with coconut and pistachios right before serving. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Fresh, fruity, crunchy sweet goodness!