But I have to be honest and up front: it's made with sugar and lots of whipped cream. I know, I'm usually encouraging you to eat healthy meals, but I'm not above splurging just a bit once in awhile.
This dish was always served at our family gatherings with my dad's side of the family. I'm not sure if it was originally my mom's recipe or my grandma's, but the fruit salad was always my mom's responsibility - along with the mashed potatoes - while Grandma tended to the rest of the meal.
When our son got married, this fruit salad was an instant hit with our daughter-in-law, and I soon taught her how to make it so I can tend to the rest of the meal like my grandma did. There are always so many details that need to be done at the last minute, aren't there? I'm thankful she took over this task that has caused me frustration as I try to get everything on the table.
It's so quick and easy
Some folks make a version of this with marshmallows and Cool Whip and call it ambrosia, but I think this version is better.
Mom made her version of fruit salad with fresh fruit: apples, oranges and bananas. It's easy to replace the fresh oranges with canned mandarin oranges though, if good, fresh oranges are in short supply at your local store.
Be sure to make this just before dinner goes on the table, because it's best eaten as soon as it's made. It doesn't keep well, but it's so good there won't be many leftovers anyway.
Here's how to make this delicious fresh fruit salad
Start by peeling the oranges and separating the segments into a large serving bowl - or, if you're using mandarin oranges instead, drain the liquid from the cans. Peel the bananas and slice them into the bowl. (The bananas are my favorite part, so I usually add an extra one.)
I love being able to use the apples from our own trees in my fruit salad.
Mom didn't peel the apples; she just cored and sliced them into bite-sized pieces. I prefer to peel them. Sprinkle the sugar on top of all the fruit.
If you're using prepared whipping cream, just spoon dollops into the bowl. I use canned whipped topping instead... you know, the kind in the aerosol can. Just squirt it into the bowl, then gently stir it all together.
The sugar and whipped cream melt together and form the most delectable "sauce." I don't measure the whipped cream; I use about half the can and stir, then add more if the consistency isn't right yet. And I can't describe the consistency to you, so you'll just have to figure that out on your own. Seriously, you can't go wrong - it will be good regardless!
Fresh Fruit Salad
Makes about four servings
2 oranges, peeled and separated, cut into bite-sized pieces*
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
3/4 cup sugar or to taste - Mom used a whole cup but that's way too much for me!
1 can whipped topping (such as Redi-Whip)
*Substitute a small can of drained mandarin oranges for each fresh orange if desired.
Add the prepared fruit to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle sugar on top, then add dollops of prepared whipped cream or about half a can of the whipped topping. Stir gently to avoid crushing the fruit.
If needed, add more whipped topping and stir again to achieve the right consistency and taste.
Serve immediately. Makes about 4-6 servings.
This fruit salad doesn't keep well, but I guarantee you won't have many leftovers. When dinner is over, tell your guests that there's one small serving left over and someone must eat it. Someone will!
If you need to make a larger or smaller amount, it's easy to scale this up or down. Add another piece of fruit or two... or an extra of each kind... add a bit more sugar and more whipped cream to taste.
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