Eating fresh vegetables and fruits is an integral part of the summer menu that refreshes us on hot days. It also provides us with vitamins and minerals that keep our bodies healthy. Therefore, one of the most popular snacks and desserts at this time of the year is fruit salad. But do you know how to cook it properly? It is not enough to chop a few fruits in a bowl, because after a few minutes some of them will turn brown. What to do then? Check out our tips on how to make the perfect fruit salad!
How to make fruit salad?
To prepare fruit salad, the main thing is to choose seasonal fruits. It will be even better if you choose local production, because it has more taste. The reason is that imported fruits are picked before they are ripe, which means they have not yet developed their maximum flavor and mineral content.
The second most important thing is to cut the fruit with a sharp knife. Fruit salad is not synonymous with fruit soup! Be careful not to crush the fruit when cutting. To create an original fruit salad, you can use different methods, for example, cut melon into balls.
Then make a vinaigrette to preserve the color and flavor of the fruit. The simplest is a mixture of lemon juice and sugar. Pour it immediately after cutting the fruit.
Avoid These 5 Basic Fruit Salad Mistakes!
Peel the fruit comment : If you use your own harvest, avoid peeling the fruit, because this is where the highest concentration of vitamins is found. It is also a mistake to clean overripe juicy fruits, because they lose their shape and release a lot of water.
Sugariness : a small amount can sublimate the taste, but if you put too much, you will completely spoil it. Be careful not to add more than a teaspoon per serving.
Add herbs : Herbs are a great idea that will not only enhance the taste of the fruit salad, but also make it fresher. So choose between mint, basil, tarragon and verbena, but never add them dried!
citrus fruits : Like it or not, they are a must for any fruit salad. A few drops of lemon, lime, orange, or even pineapple can save your fruit from oxidizing, making it look brown and spoiled.
To serve : putting the fruit salad in a big bowl or a big plate means that everyone has to take a portion with a spoon. Thus, the fruits are crushed and release even more juice. To make the fruit salad beautiful and fresh, prepare it in small individual cocktail glasses.
How to prepare fruit salad in advance?
Fruit salad can be prepared in advance. Just remember to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep it fresh and tasty even the next day, add a little sugar and lemon juice to the fruit mixture immediately after cutting them.
Another sneaky trick is to mix fruit with Sprite or 7-Up. It’s actually a carbonated simple syrup that prevents the fruit from oxidizing.
An old way to protect fruit from contact with the surrounding air is to cover it with whipped cream or sour cream.
What fruits go well together?
If you’re wondering how to combine fruit to make an incredible dessert, try the following combinations suggested by nutritionist Natalie Rohn:
Cherry, pineapple, blueberry : these fruits are a great combination with anti-inflammatory properties.
Grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries Comment : Combine them if you need to strengthen your immune system.
Figs, red grapes, pomegranate comment : These fruits protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.
Goji berry, watermelon, lemon : this is a great fruit salad for detoxifying the body.
Blackberry, papaya, cantaloupe : this fruit salad can be included in your beauty routine as it is full of antioxidants and beta-carotene.
Banana, avocado, apple : this combination will give you energy, especially before or after a workout.
Source: healthline.com