You can be sure a mix of fresh fruits will be pleasing when you base it on year-round favorites, then add bright colors and flavors from fruits of the season (good proportions are about 2 pounds foundation fruits and 1 1/2 to 2 pounds seasonal fruits). To keep the mixture from looking like a hash, cut pieces in a variety of shapes, none smaller than bite-sized. Although it should be served to guests within a few hours, you can enjoy the fruits for a day or twoΓÇöcitrus juices and honey keep them from darkening.
Add the following fruits and ingredients in the order given to a large mixing bowl, stirring gently every once in a while:
2 sweet oranges, peeled, seeded, and cut into bite-sized chunks
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup mild honey, preferably orange blossom, or sugar
2 green eating apples, cored and cut into medium dice
1 large, ripe pear, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 large banana, thinly sliced
Add 3 or 4 seasonal fruits, about 8 ounces each. Choose from:
Kiwis, peeled, cut lengthwise in half, and sliced
Strawberries, hulled and quartered lengthwise
Whole raspberries or whole blueberries or whole blackberries
Pitted sweet cherries
Melon or watermelon balls
Peaches, nectarines, apricots, or plums, pitted and sliced
