Does anyone really need a recipe for fruit salad?  Probably not, but I’m giving you one anyone, just in case!  This is a particularly nice combination of flavors, and it’s pretty.  The lime juice and chile flakes go so very nicely with the fruit.  Does that surprise you?  If you’re a Latino, it won’t.  They tend to squeeze lime juice on fruit and the Mexican’s use chiles and salt with fruit…not always, but particularly with fruit done like this.  At least, that’s what my Mexican friends tell me, and they wouldn’t lie to The Goddess, would they?  That lime adds just enough acid to compliment and bring out the fruity sweetness of the fruit.  It is particularly important in out-of-season fruit.  It’s truly amazing how much better the fruit tastes.

This salad can be made with whatever looks good at the market or what’s in season.  Right now we have Florida strawberries, there are always papayas and the blackberries looked beautiful (and they were delicious).  Other combinations we like are:

• Pineapple, strawberry and mango
• Pineapple, kiwi and blackberry
• Mango, strawberry and raspberry
• Papaya, mango, blood orange (omit the frozen orange juice concentrate)
• Nectarine (or peach), blueberry and raspberry

So you get the idea.  I try to keep it to two or three different fruits.  I’ve done more, but then the flavors get sort of “muddy” and less distinct.  But, if you want more fruits, use more fruits.  Also, a note about the flavored gelatin:  I always add some strawberry-flavored gelatin to out-of-season strawberries.  Yes, I know this is artificially flavored, but artificial strawberry is pretty damned delicious.  I use peach and raspberry, when I’m using those fruits.  You’re not adding much, but it’s just enough to boost the flavor and add a bit of sweetness, because I don’t add any sugar to the fruit.  Taste the mixture, and add a bit more of the flavored gelatin, if you think it’s necessary.  You can omit it completely, but I think the overall flavor suffers, but it’s up to you!

It will take you less than 10 minutes to put this together.  But, it needs to “rest”, so plan accordingly.  I think it’s best if it sets for at least 30 minutes.

To make your Lazy Sunday, or any day really, Fruit Salad, put the fruit in a bowl, add the remaining ingredients and give it a good stir.  Don’t omit the salt; it affects how you taste the sweetness.  Now, let the mixture stand, stirring 2 or 3 times over the next 30 minutes.  That’s it!  How easy is that?

I cut the mint into chiffonade and that little bit of mint was just right.  Just like baby bears porridge…and we ate it all up, too!