I have the August blues. You know the ones. The school supply list, the uniforms, the shoes you don’t want to buy because by Thanksgiving they won’t fit. Our school calendar came home yesterday and within fifteen minutes I was on Christmas break. I. AM. NOT. READY. I had to bring summer back! So I did, with some fruit.
I love this dinner because all the prep can be done in the early morning and it’s ready to throw together after a day at the pool, or work, or cleaning out the garage. This recipe is not meant to be followed, it’s simply for inspiration, so you do you.
Tropical Fruit Salad
Pick two or three of your favorites – I am talking fresh fruit. You can practice your knife skills. What can I say. You want to peel and chop about the same size, but there is no rules here, do what you like.
Pineapple
Mango
Passion Fruit
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Grapefruit/Oranges
Cucumber
Avocado
Jalapeño or habanero, something to give a kick, finely chopped
Basil, cilantro, mint, a few tablespoons of each roughly chopped
Red onion or shallot, finely chopped
Lime juice
Salt and pepper, I say a crack all around the bowl before mixing, and you are good to go
1 lb shrimp – grilled, sautéed, steamed – whatever you like
In a large bowl combine it all. Mix. Serve.
If you are making ahead, just combine the fruit, leaving out the avocado, lime juice, salt, pepper, and the shrimp until you are ready to serve.
You don’t like shrimp – this can be served without any protein, and side of tortilla chips. And it goes great with a grilled flat iron. A little lime, red wine vinegar, olive oil and S&P before you throw the steak on the grill and you are in business.
You can sub for the following as well: white fish, like halibut or monkfish, lobster, chicken, pork, marinated in pineapple juice. You can see the possibilities are endless.
Enjoy! Be inspired! And hold onto summer for the next month!
xo – AT