Fruit salad does not have to be a boring dessert. This 5 minute recipe will catch your guests by surprise and have them asking you what in the world you did to make a simple thing taste so good.
Berry Mint Fruit Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil
Serves: 6
Prep time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1½ cups strawberries, sliced into fourths
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (one whole lemon freshly squeezed)
- 1–2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (optional)
- 1 bar of dark chocolate (optional, for serving on the side)
DIRECTIONS
- Prep the fruit: Toss the raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries into a large mixing or serving bowl. Hull and slice the strawberries into fourths from top to bottom and add to the bowl.
- Make the dressing: Add to your mixing bowl of berries the zest of one whole lemon, the juice of that same lemon, the olive oil, and your chopped mint.
- Toss: Gently toss everything together with a large spoon. Be careful not to mash the raspberries.
- Chill (optional): Let the salad sit for 10–15 minutes in the fridge to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Spoon into small bowls and garnish with a pinch of hemp hearts for texture if desired. I always serve this alongside a plate of dark chocolate squares, which compliments the berries perfectly and satisfies the sweet tooth of anyone looking for something a little more indulgent than just fruit.
- As always, see notes below for substitutions and helpful tips.
NOTES
- I included the berries I like to use, but any and all berries will work for this recipe. You can experiment with other fruits here but be mindful of what works well with the zip and brightness of lemon juice.
- If you are making this in advance before a dinner party, leave out the olive oil before refrigerating and simple add in right before serving. If you chill the olive oil for longer than 30 minutes in the fridge it will start to solidify. If you did this already and are just reading this note now, don’t panic! It will melt back in about 10 minutes.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest or the mint, these are the secret ingredients that will keep everyone guessing!
- I’ve been making this for years and only recently added the hemp heart garnish. If you don’t have any (and you probably don’t!), it’s not a big deal.
- I always serve this alongside a bar or two of dark chocolate, it’s a great way to give people a little more when this is functioning as a dessert.
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