Kids in the Kitchen Make Tasty Fruit Salad
Children or Adults Will Enjoy Making and Eating Mixed Fruit Dish
Jan 12, 2009
Holidays and other special occasions often require some preparation the day before. This fruit salad can be made ahead of time and is always a pleasant surprise to pull out of the fridge. Because it doesn't add chemicals to keep the bananas from turning color, it does need to be eaten within a couple of days.
Parents usually want their children to enjoy eating fruit. In addition to fruit which is in season at the store, here is a chance for kids to develop expertise in preparing a delicious dish which will disappear quickly.
Safety in the Kitchen
Children should always be supervised by an adult in the kitchen. The best supervision involves gentle coaching while letting the child do the tasks. It is always vital to stress safety. A good time to do that is during the planning stage of the job, discussing such things as the safe way to use a knife, and how to work over the cabinet so excess spilling doesn't occur.
When the delicious fruit bowl is complete, a discussion about safety regarding spread of germs during serving is in order. Also, when it is time to put it in the fridge (if any is left) there is a fine opportunity to explain about not leaving the door open and covering the bowl so other flavors don't find their way into the bowl.
Responsibility can also be emphasized by expecting, and then allowing, the child to clean up as the work is done, and at the end.
Cookware Needed
- Paper towels
- Clean dish towel or two
- Medium to large bowl for both mixing and serving
- Knife for cutting (even a plastic one will do the job)
Ingredients
- 1 #2 can of pears, halved
- 1 large can of peaches, sliced
- 1 #2 can Royal Anne seedless cherries
- 1 #2 can half or sliced apricots
- 1 large Cool Whip or similar product
- 1 or 2 bunches of ripe bananas
Directions
- Using several paper towels laid on top of a kitchen towel, drain all fruit well.
- Cut each cherry in half.
- Cut bananas in coins (little circles)
- Gently mix together, continuing to blot with paper towels to that it's basically dry.
- Add Cool Whip and fold it in, so the individual identity of the fruit is not lost.
Variations
Items can be added as desired:
- Pecans, sliced almonds, or other nuts
- Coconut
- Mini-marshmallows
- Other types of favorite fruit
- Grated cheese
- Sprinkles of choice on top for decoration
However, to allow for individual preferences, some extras can be served on the side so diners who choose may add them.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over shortcake, pancakes, waffles, or biscuits. Some people even like it over cottage cheese.
Fruit salad is a fine addition to any meal, but sometimes fresh fruit isn't readily available, or a trip to the store is out of the question. Times like these call for a trip to the pantry shelves. As young cooks become more experienced, they will add to the recipe as they see fit. The only thing left to do is invite people to the table to enjoy the delicious fruit combination.
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