“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Monday 20 February 2012

Fresh Fruit Platter

Whoohoo...I made it through another weekend without having any alcohol AND I went to a party too. Didn't I do well? Actually its been easier than I thought. Only one weekend to go....but we've still got a few events to attend within that time, so I'll not blow my own trumpet too loudly just yet.

Today is another colourful post but not of the arty kind. This time it's the healthy kind. I thought I'd show you the fruit platter that I made for Sunday afternoon.

I just made a quick trip to the local veggie shop to see what was available...Pineapple was a must because I wanted to use the top as part of the decoration. Not in the 70's style or like Carmen Miranda...but just a little different. Besides pineapple is one of my favourite fruit.
I was going to use a white serving platter but then thought I should use a large silver serving platter instead. I thought I'd dress it up even more with a large leaf from the bird of paradise plant in the garden...to give it a tropical look. If you look towards the back of the photo above, you can see the platter and the leaf.
The leaf had a tendency to curl up at the edges, but I persuaded it to lie flat by gently pressing...once all the fruit was placed on top it wasn't a problem.
Next, I started to deseed the melons and cutting them into bite size pieces. I didn't put them straight onto the platter because I wanted to leave the fruit in the fridge until the last few minutes before serving, also the platter was quite large and would have taken up too much room in the fridge. I placed all the prepared fruit into a bowl which didn't take up too much room. It's easier if you group all the same fruit together in the bowl ~ this saves time when arranging onto the platter.
I love fresh pineapple but I never used to like preparing them....that was until my sister introduced this brilliant gadget to me. I know yet another gadget but this one is really brilliant and I can't sing it's praises enough.

(unfortunately the sun didn't come out until I'd finished preparing and taking the photos ~ so apologies for the quality of shot)

With the serrated corkscrew-like tool it easily cores and slices a fresh pineapple quickly and easily. All you have to do is snap on the handle, insert into the pineapple, and twist. 


The results of this simple effort: one perfect spiral of sweet pineapple, complete with healthy juices!

 This is what's left once the flesh has been taken out....

 Clever eh?
 
There are three different sizes too....

I just need to state here that I'm not being sponsored to review this product....I just like to give praise where praise is due.
So back to the platter....

Now you can get arty and let your creative juices flow....the fruit juices certainly will. I cut another part of the pineapple skin to use as a bowl for the blueberries. I've seen platters where the blueberries are scattered randomly around the platter, but I liked the idea of using this bowl to contain them all in one place. A good tip I think is to buy more fruit than you think might be necessary, because it can take quite a lot to get the right effect plus if you're like me you eat a far few chunks before the platter is complete.  I certainly had more than my five portions yesterday!


 And there you have it....I really enjoyed both the making and the eating of this platter and I hope you give it a go with whatever fruit is in season in your part of the world. 

Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Tuesday) so my boys have placed a request into the kitchen for Crêpes (french pancakes) tomorrow. They'll be happy bunnies if they get their wish...I haven't promised as I like to keep them on their toes ; )
Have a fun day and keep smiling : D

8 comments:

  1. oh my that looks beautiful, a lot of work too!

    Keep those boys on their toes!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Laurie, actually it looks a lot more involved than it actually is. I'd say once you have all the fruit, the actual cutting and displaying takes about 30 minutes or so. I didn't time it, but I think that's a fair guestimate. But it does make an entrance and always gets comments from guests.
      It's far easier than a lot of recipes or cake making...and healthy too.

      Yep, I'll do my best with the boys...it's an ongoing struggle. LOL
      Shh.... (in a hushed voice) I'm away to mix the crepe mixture now but don't let them know. Not yet anyway....

      Lovely to have you visit again and I hope you have a great pancake day too, if you're indulging. Remember there's no calories in anything you make on a Tuesday! :D xoxo

      Delete
  2. Beautiful fruit platter,healthy as well.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy, thanks for popping by. I really appreciate it.
      It never ceases to make me smile when someone leaves a comment.

      I'm sure kids eat more fruit when it's presented this way on a platter. I think they find it so easy to just pop a cube of fruit or berry into their mouth. I know I certainly did whilst preparing it. :D

      Delete
  3. I agree - handing my son an apple (or popping one in the lunch bag) is always just an "offer" BUT - taking the time to present a plate of cut up fruit is more of a "temptation" - and you know how boys love to be tempted!
    Thanks for sharing! PS - great gadget - purchased where if I may ask?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I do indeed or if you tell them they can't have something! My boy is about to turn 20 years old though...so he should know what's good for him.
    I remember he never used to eat apples at all because he had a brace (or that was his excuse) but one day I sliced one up for him and he never looked back. He's very often seen munching on a full apple now. He's the apple of my eye too ;D

    If you have a look into my sidebar to the right of this post, you will see the gadget. My sister bought mine for me because she was sooooo excited by it. I think she got it from 'Lakeland' in the UK. It's a brilliant shop by the way....but Amazon have it too and I suppose any kitchenware shop may have one. I forgot to say it's dishwasher safe too although I just run it under the tap when used.

    If you do buy one please come back and let me know what you thought of it? I think you should be happy...I hope so and just think of all those fresh pineapple chunks your son won't be able to resist! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful looking platter of fruit Neesie, so refreshing . . . and I LOVE the pineapple cutter! What genius!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marie, I think you'll agree it just looks like it'll make you healthier, even before you eat it :D

      I can't resist kitchen gadgets but some just stay in the cupboard or at the back of the drawer sadly forgotten...but this little device makes life so easy it has to be used.

      I hope your week is going well so far. xoxo

      Delete

I get so excited to see you here and love to read your thoughts and comments.
I always try to answer each one personally (I think it's only polite)
...♥...I truly appreciate your precious time here so thank you ...♥...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...