Guest Post: Picnics and Fruit Salad

Posted by Matt on August 24th, 2010 at 07:55am

This guest post comes from the ever-awesome Jackie from the blog Jackie’s Kitchen. Enjoy!

A simple fruit salad with a light dressing is perhaps my favorite thing to bring to a summer picnic.  Fresh fruit is great for an outdoor feast because it holds up well in the heat and provides the vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and of course, water necessary to stay properly hydrated on a hot, sunny day.  I like to incorporate a variety of fruit, emphasizing those that are in season (and local, if possible). The fruit salad can also be tailored to the theme of the picnic.  For tropical or spicy flavors, try mixing mango, papaya, kiwi, mandarin oranges, bananas, pineapple, and coconut.  Toss with a couple of tablespoons of lime juice and raw sugar and garnish with some freshly-chopped mint for a real treat.  For an extra kick, add a little fresh ginger or even candied ginger.

For cooler picnic days, or picnics with more American-style foods, try a berry fruit salad with fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Toss with a splash of balsamic vinegar and a bit of organic sugar for a sophisticated touch that will bring out the natural flavors of the fruit.  Top with a little whipped cream for extra enjoyment!

To accompany Middle-Eastern or Mediterranean flavors, try a melon salad with watermelon, cantaloupe (or musk melon), honeydew, and grapes. Sprinkle with some fresh lemon juice, a little lemon zest and some of your favorite honey to balance all of the flavors.

Whatever your fruit salad turns out to be, you can’t go wrong.  Happy picnicking!

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For even more picnics ideas, check out the July version of This Month’s Healthy Bite

Tags: food, healthy eating, healthy foods, Healthy Recipes, home cooking, nutrition, our fave diet sites, summer, what to eat

Under healthy eating Tags: food, healthy eating, healthy foods, Healthy Recipes, home cooking, nutrition, our fave diet sites, summer, what to eat