Toss them together for sides, snacks or dessert
July 6, 2012 By Kate Statton

Fruit salad can easily stand in for a lot of dishes come summertime. Breakfast, a side with dinner, a snack on the beach, a light dessert. These are all easy and delicious ways to use the abundance of fruits which come into peak during the summer season.

While mixing and matching your fruits of choice is incredibly easy, and yummy, there are a few key tools to making a summer fruit salad which will last through high heat.

The addition of acid from lemon juice or grapefruit slices helps to keep fruit from turning brown or mushy before eating. A simple syrup adds some additional sweetness to fruit which may be otherwise tart, encouraging varying fruit flavors to meld together on your fork or spoon. A sprinkle of mint or herb can create a refreshing update to the general fruity flavor profile.

Download Recipe Fruit Salad with Basic, Herb, Mint-Maple or Citrus Syrup







These are all simple upgrades that can keep your fruit salad fresh and unique all season long. While your fruit salad style is completely up to you, we have an awesome basic recipe to get you started.

This quick recipe for fruit salad with herb, citrus, mint-maple or basic syrup is a great go-to for salad making. With it's different syrup variations, the salad becomes incredibly versatile and easily updated. Try it out and let us know what you think!

Do you have any go-to fruit salad medleys come summertime? Let us know in the comments below!

Fruit Salad with Herb, Citrus, Mint-Maple or Basic Syrup Recipe courtesy What's Cookin' via Epicurious.com

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved
1 half-pint raspberries
1 half-pint blueberries or blackberries
2 oranges, peeled and cut into sections
2 kiwis, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into large chunks
1 papaya, peeled, pitted, and cut into large chunks
2 cups fresh pineapple cut into large chunks
1 cup cantaloupe or honeydew melon cut into large chunks
1/4 cup fresh mint, julienned
Basic, Herb, Mint-Maple or Citrus syrups
Fresh rosemary or mint sprigs if you're using Herb Syrup

Preparation

Combine all the fruit in a large bowl and stir in one of the syrups. Garnish with the mint or rosemary sprigs if you're using Herb Syrup.
Tags: salads, fruit, Kate Statton, summer cooking

Today's Recipe Honey Oat and Blueberry Pancakes
Shopping Tip:  Look for smooth blueberries that are free from mold.

Cooking Tip:  Do not overmix the batter or the pancakes will be tough.
Honey Oat and Blueberry Pancakes


Click here to see Tips for Making Better Pancakes.



INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 1/3 tablespoon honey
• 3/4 cup 2-percent milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for the griddle
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• Jam, fresh fruit, or maple syrup, for serving

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 150 degrees or the lowest temperature available.

Add the flour and oats to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the oats are ground. Then, add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and pulse until well mixed.

Next, whisk the egg in a bowl and add it to the dry mix. Add the honey, milk, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Pulse until all of the ingredients are mixed.

Heat a cast iron griddle or skillet over medium heat and lightly coat with oil. Using a ¼-cup scoop, pour the pancake batter onto the skillet and add 6-8 blueberries on top of each pancake. Cook until browned on each side (they are ready to flip when the tops start to bubble a little).

To keep already made pancakes warm, place them on an ovenproof dish or baking pan in the oven. Serve with your favorite jam, fresh fruit, or syrup.

Recipe Details
Click here to see more recipes from The Fresh Fridge.

Cuisine: Breakfast
Special Designations: Vegetarian, Kid-friendly
Read more: http://www.thedailymeal.com/honey-oat-and-blueberry-pancakes#ixzz1x9GkYVKr

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