June 5, 2011

Exotic Fruit Salad — little nibbles of pleasure for a healthy summer

June brings scorching heat and heavy, moist weather. This place is broiling in the sun, with a sense of countless more days of stifling heat and high humidity—whew! To top it all, last Friday (read weekend), Doha was hit by a sandstorm, making the very idea of stepping outdoor a daunting prospect. It's little wonder that I’m feeling so nostalgic about the cool monsoon rains back home. 

Missing the rain. Missing my family. Missing my friends.

Luckily, June is also the month when plenty of fruits are in season. A huge variety of juicy fruits, crammed with goodness, and at their tasty best, making it easy to eat healthy. Each time I visit the market, I can’t stop picking them, and come home with an abundance of fruits, way more than my fridge could handle. So, what do I do with this bounty, huh? Well, that’s the best part -- I make juices, popsicles, the occasional crumble. And oh, fresh fruit salads, too.

Now, following my rich curry post, I wanted to go light and summery, again. With a super simple recipe like this exotic salad. All you need to do is chop the fruits, toss it with the dressing and—voila!—a delicious, no fuss dessert is ready. Serve with a splash of vanilla yogurt or, even better, a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect little pick me up after a heavy meal. In fact, we serve fruit salad everyday during Ramadan -- a deliciously healthy kickoff to the Iftar meal.



Ready for a fruity plunge? Mmmm...how about a glass of cheerful explode-in-your-mouth juiciness infused with the exotic flare of fragrant rose water, and with a sweetly tart crunch? Made from sun ripened fruits like mango, cantaloupe, papaya and green apple, and combined with the citrus freshness of lime, and distinct aroma of rose water, this salad is hard to resist. A simple glass full of taste, texture and aroma. Aha!

Do use whatever fruits you fancy and feel free to play around with the balance of flavors, adding more lime juice and green apple if you prefer tartness, or more sugar for sweetness. Use rose water (available in Asian or Middle Eastern stores) in moderation.

The recipe is a cinch—enjoy!
Exotic Fruit Salad

Ingredients

1 cup green apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup mango, peeled, pitted and dice
½ cup papaya, seeded and diced (optional)
½ cup cantaloupe, seeded and dice
2-3 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
5-6 drops rose water, or to taste (it varies in strength, so taste as you go)
vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice-cream, to serve


Directions

Dice the fruits and put them in a large glass or ceramic bowl with the sugar, lime juice and rose water. Toss to coat and then refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour. This will allow the flavors to develop and make the fruits really juicy.

To serve, scoop into individual bowls or glasses. The salad is terrific on its own. Dress it up with a splash of creamy vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice-cream for an even exquisite taste.


So, whether you are eating indoors or outdoors include this quick, sweet smelling, summery salad in the menu. Eat healthy and feel great!

61 comments:

  1. wow...wat a colorful n healthy fruit salad,perfect for this hot summer ...enjoyed reading your post n love your amazing clicks...treat for eyes...very nice !!!

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  2. Ohh my my..can't take my eyes off the photos! Really soothing to the eyes and a healthy one too.

    Yeah I can understand your situation. But summer holidays are not far away.. I remember that every time we came on vacation to Kerala it used to be raining so heavily and it was such a welcome change from the scorching heat at Doha.

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  3. Fruit salad get wonderful makeovers like beauty queens. awesome clicks.

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  4. nice cooling salad very refreshing one...colorfull clicks...

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  5. Yummy and healthy salad

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  6. Very colorful looking lovely fruit salad dear. Looks wonderful.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  7. Can't get my eyes off the clicks ....... Fantabulous !!

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  8. your pics make me drool and fruit salad is something I dont get bored of..looks yummy

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  9. Beautiful cliks... Lovely refreshing colourful salad..:) U have a very good sense of food styling .. good work ..:)
    Reva

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  10. perfect summer treat! Beautiful clicks as always!

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  11. U need not name it exotic cos everythg u upload looks exotic dear...fruit salads are inviting this summer....and urs looks yummylicious

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  12. Impressive Clicks... Lovely medley of colours!! :-)

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  13. Marvellous and stunning clicks...refreshing salad, never say no to this wonderful fruit salad..

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  14. Thanks everyone, thanks for all the encouragement! So sorry I don't have more time these days to chat with y'all.

    Rinku, tell me about it! I so miss enjoying the downpour...can't wait for summer vacation :)

    Reva dear, coming from you, it's a compliment! Thanks sweetie!

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  15. Marvellous pictures..these clicks are so soothing to the eyes. And this salad is what I want right now to beat the scorching Dubai sun.

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  16. Such a simple and beautiful fruit salad. You have take the whole thing to a great height with your superb presentation and click. Can't take my eyes of these pictures.

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  17. Exotic & gorgeous!!!! Awesome, mind blowing clicks!!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  18. Wow, fruit salad looks so refreshing and irresistible..lovely clicks too..

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  19. colorful and healthy salad !!

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  20. What gorgeous photos! From simple salad you've transformed it to really irresistible meal....

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  21. Am blown over by your clicks, its amazing food art, just lovely..! Also wanted to say thanx for your comment on my site... it was very encouraging..!! :)

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  22. your clicks are drool worthy! love the touches you give to each of your pic that makes the dish exotic !! all the fruits in the salad scented with rose water is toooooo good !

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  23. Delicious salad and stunning clicks :)

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  24. summer has always broken my sweat...but not my heart...this is the first time ever!

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  25. Wonderful pictures dear..cant take off my eyes from them..refreshing and yummy salad..love the flavors

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  26. Gorgeous clicks and beautifully presented,no better season for the refreshing fruit salad than summer,love it.

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  27. wow superbb recipe and click also i misd ur 2-3 posting will check soon

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  28. I just got drenched by the monsoons when I went home last weekend :) .....love the salad, looks colourful, healthy, and full of lovely, refreshing flavours....

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  29. Perfect summer treat for both tummy n for eyes!! love the dressing too..

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  30. superb clicks.........ya nd the summer this year is horrible.......waiting 4 the vaccations.........

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  31. Wow! I could stare at these pictures all day long .... So elegant and beautiful!

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  32. Such a lovely fruit salad! And absolutely gorgeous pics too!

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  33. Awesome clicks..beautiful presentation..looks so refreshing and perfect for summer

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  34. Refreshing snaps...I am also in this part of the world, Bahrain and know how its to be away from rains & its beauty!!

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  35. waooo..yummy..i love your photography most of alllllll..write some tips someday plzzz..its amazing,tell me about your camera too

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  36. Inganeyulla pictures okkey kaanumbolaanu salad kazhikkaan thonnunney, So good!!BTW, I collect(smuggle in may be?)lot of little little paathrams for food photography:D...Digging hole in hubby's purse, without his consent...:D..Love ur paathrams as well. I think food photography has become a BIG thing in food blogging these days....before it was just the recipes...Wanted to ask u, got a FB ID?please let me know.

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  37. I am a big fan of fruit salads, or anything with my favorite fruits in it:) Your fruit salad looks as good as it sounds; EXOTIC!:) Yums...it makes for a great summer snack; refreshing...oh, on second thought, not just summer, give it to me anytime, I'll take it!:D

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  38. lovely..... just can't take off from those photographs...!!!

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  39. Excellent Nash. This is stunning.Loved the salad. Refreshing one for summer. Oh about the weather, here its raining.

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  40. Salad looks so sunny and flavorful!! Really lovely.

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  41. Awesome clicks and fabulous fruit salad..Looks terrific and yummy...

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  42. Very beautiful photographs, enjoyed looking at them. Have never before used rose water, must get some and try this.
    Often make a fruit salad with vanilla yoghurt, but I'll bet the rose water makes a difference.

    Thank you and thanks for your kind comments on my spouses children's book.

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  43. looks colorful and tempting pictures ...... following u on google followers ......

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  44. Lovely summery pictures and a delightful fruit salad! So refreshing.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  45. wow..beautiful pics and I cant even take my eyes from those pics, very attractive...and fruit salad looks so delicious and refreshing...:)

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  46. Hey there, thanks everyone! Much love!!

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  47. Nash!!!This is so so a summer recipe and how i wish i can get a couple of sponnfuls of it NOW..The pictures and styling are mindblowing and i totally enjoyed scrolling it up and down a couple of time..Drooooollllssss

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  48. Fruit salad looks gorgeous, flavourful, yummy and tempting. Wonderful presentation.

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  49. So fresh and pretty! The rosewater idea is an especially inspired choice. Beautiful!

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  50. Wow,sounds indeed exotic and great capture as well!

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  51. this is sooo gorgeous !! i know the feeling of missin monsoons/friends/family..sigh..temme about the sandstorm !! it has to ruin the weekend !

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  52. I bet that totally hits the spot on a scorching day. Plus, it's so good for you, too. Yum!

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  53. This sounds wonderful! It is looks so refreshing. I wish I had some now:)

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  54. Wonderful clicks.... Looks very delicious!

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  55. Thanks -- thanks so much y'all!

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  56. Refreshing and delicious. Fantastic clicks.

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi