Looking for a refreshing dessert that’s also healthy? Our festive fruit salad is the perfect choice. It’s a vibrant combination of various fruits, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges
- 2 c. grapes
- 2 c. miniature marshmallows
- 1 c. sliced strawberries
- 3 c. chopped apples, peeled if desired
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 2 tsp. orange juice
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1/2 c. nuts (pecans)
Mixing Instructions
- Combine pineapple, oranges, grapes, strawberries and apples. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
- Add marshmallows and chill.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time:15 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Fruit Salad Fiasco
It was a day like any other, and I was put in charge of the dessert for a family gathering. I mean, who doesn’t love a good fruit salad, right? Especially one studded with pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, grapes, marshmallows, strawberries, apples, and a hint of lemon juice. It’s like a party in a bowl!
The “I’ve Got This” Moment
I’d decided to make a festive fruit salad. My confidence was soaring high – I had my ingredients ready. I mean, how hard could it be, right? I had my pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes, strawberries, apples, marshmallows and lemon juice all lined up like obedient little soldiers on my kitchen counter.
The Parade of Fruits
This was it. The moment of truth. I started by combining the pineapple, oranges, grapes, strawberries and apples. I even sprinkled them with lemon juice, like they were getting a spa treatment. I looked at my creation, and I had to say – it was looking pretty darn good.
The Marshmallow Incident
Next up were the marshmallows. I mean, what’s a festive fruit salad without a little bit of fluff? I added the marshmallows and popped the bowl into the fridge to chill. I did not, however, anticipate the marshmallows turning into tiny, chilly snowballs. Let’s just say, it was a crunchy surprise that left my teeth rattling!
The Cornstarch Conundrum
While the fruits were chilling, I decided to make a dressing using the reserved pineapple juice, orange juice, cornstarch, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice. It sounded simple enough. However, I learned the hard way that cornstarch is not to be trifled with. It turns out, when you add cornstarch to a sauce, it doesn’t just dissolve. It forms little cornstarch islands that refuse to blend in!
The Nutty Finale
As a last-minute addition, I decided to add some nuts (pecans, to be precise) for a bit of crunch. However, I may have been a bit too enthusiastic with the chopping. The nuts ended up looking more like dust than chunks. But hey, chalk it up to a bit of nutty snow, right? I mean, it’s a festive salad after all!
The Grand Reveal
Finally, it was time to serve the salad. I unveiled my masterpiece, complete with its marshmallow snowballs and nut dust. The reaction was… mixed. Some loved it, some were a bit thrown off by the texture. But hey, at least it was one for the books!
The Moral of the Story
And so, my friends, the lesson here is this: Cooking is not always a walk in the park. It’s a journey filled with marshmallow snowballs, cornstarch islands, and nut dust. But in the end, it’s all about the experience, the laughs, and the stories you get to tell. And maybe next time, I’ll remember to chop the nuts a little less!
