| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 219 | 1g | 0g | 57g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 44g | 7g | 3g | 0g |
As a native of the brisk sea-breezed Maine coast, my culinary prowess has always been centered around local seafood and hearty New England fare. Even so, I’ve learned that vibrant, sweet counterparts can often balance out the salty oceanic robustness, a principle artfully employed by today’s culinary spotlight: the Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Clementine Dressing. This recipe acts as a vibrant, sunshine-infused reprieve from the chilly winters, bursting with a tapestry of fresh fruits and a zesty honey-clementine drizzle.
The Artistry in This Recipe
What makes this winter fruit salad genuinely enchanting is the interplay of colors, textures, and tastes. This dish is an absolute delight to the eyes, with the bright hues of strawberries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds popping against the subtler tones of pear, apple, and banana slices. Then, there’s the clementines – a winter citrus wonder, lending the salad a delightful tang.
Crafting the Honey Clementine Dressing
But, let’s not forget the real pièce de résistance – the Honey Clementine Dressing. This succulent dressing, made by blending freshly-squeezed clementine juice with honey and vanilla extract, drapes beautifully over the fruit, adding a punch of bright, citrusy sweetness that ties every component together seamlessly. Winter fruits naturally take on a mellower profile, and this dressing amps up their flavors, lending a refreshing edge to the subdued winter palate.
My daughters, Erin and Samantha, absolutely adore this recipe. The uncomplicated assembly details make it an excellent activity we can enjoy together. Plus, the dish is brimming with vital nutrients and health benefits – essential vitamins from the fruits, natural sugars from the honey, and hydration from the juicy clementines.
Marvelous Meal Pairing Ideas
Now, while the Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Clementine Dressing can absolutely shine on its own, it pairs beautifully with various dishes too. Served alongside a classic New England lobster roll or a warm bowl of clam chowder, it provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness, resulting in a balanced, satisfying meal. It’s also delightful as an accompaniment to an evening roast or as a wholesome afternoon snack.
So whether you need a tangy uplift during the frosty season, want a show-stopping side for your family meals or need to whip up a nutritious, kid-friendly snack, this Winter Fruit Salad and Honey Clementine Dressing is sure to steal the culinary spotlight. As they say in the culinary world, the proof of the pudding (or in this case, fruit salad) is always in the eating. So go ahead, give this gorgeous recipe a whirl and bask in its sweet, tangy glory.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups seedless grapes
- 1 pear, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
- 3 bananas, sliced
- 1 pomegranate, seeds only
- 2 clementines, peeled and sectioned
- 1 cup strawberries, stemmed and halved
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the Honey Clementine Dressing:
- 4 clementines, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing the fruits for your salad. Start with the seeded grapes, followed by slicing the pear and apple. Next, slice the bananas. Carefully remove the seeds from the pomegranate. Peel and section the clementines. Stem and halve the strawberries, then wash the blueberries and set all your fruits aside.
Step Two
Now, it’s time to assemble your fruit salad. Take a large bowl to mix all your fruits together. Ensure they are thoroughly mixed for an even distribution of flavors.
Step Three
Drizzle the mixed fruits with fresh lemon juice. This helps to keep the fruits fresh and adds a tangy flavour to the otherwise sweet salad.
Step Four
Now, move on to the Honey Clementine Dressing. Start by juicing the 4 clementines in a separate bowl. Be sure to remove any seeds that sneak their way into the juice.
Step Five
To the freshly-squeezed clementine juice, add 2 tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir these well until they are combined.
Step Six
Pour the prepared Honey Clementine Dressing over your assembled fruit salad. Toss gently to ensure all the fruits are coated with this sweet and tangy dressing.
Step Seven
Your Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Clementine Dressing is ready to enjoy. You can serve it immediately, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours for a refreshing cold salad.
