Hello All,
It is always in season to make a salad for any event, but is the combination of ingredients the right fit for the event? Just throwing a bunch of items together can be called a salad, but if we actually take the time and effort, we can create a wonderful mix that everyone will be talking about.
I like to experiment with flavors during the summer, especially with fruit salads. There is nothing like a cool refreshing fruit salad to ease the pangs of a hot summer day. That’s what I did with the salad in the picture above. I tried to think of the flavors I like and hope they blend together when mixed. This is the art of creating and of taste, believe in yourself and your palette. I went ahead and chose the fruit I wanted to use, I think this is important because you don’t want to seem like you just threw it together. But it should look beautifully tossed. I started with the base, watermelon, sometimes it’s the best way to go. It’s big and showy but pairs well with so many fruits. Next I went with strawberry and kiwi. My surprise guests in the salad were cucumber, blackberry and mint. I dared to be different with a “veggie” in the fruit salad, but it works with these fruits and is a great pairing. Mint in fruit salad also gives a nice flavor kick, but it doesn’t always work. What I liked about the fruit I chose is that it works visually and to me this is important. We tend to eat with our eyes and the color draws us in, it’s as if the salad wants you to look at it. It’s calling you.
I also made an identical salad but used basil instead of mint and that just takes the salad to another level. Always feel free to let that adventurous side show. As it is a salad, I thought why not add a dressing on the side to give it another kick. It was simple and easy and only 2 steps, honey and fresh lime juice whisked together. So this was my new flavor test for my fruit salad and I really enjoyed it. The dressing was an added bonus, but always keep it on the side. Feel free to let me know what brings your salad to life and what ingredient is your favorite and which one is your least favorite. My least favorite in a fruit salad is a cantaloupe, by the way, it overtakes the whole salad.
Well enjoy the start to summer and start making those fruit salads to refresh yourself and your guests. Look forward to hearing from you. And of course follow me on Instagram.
Chris- Resident Culinary Guy