Darn Fruitin'

It's summertime and the livin' is easy!  No homework to help with, no after-school activities to drive to, no major holidays to plan for, and the heat is a great excuse to avoid using the oven.  My summer wardrobe is simple and so is my menu.  In fact, my husband likes to do the grilling, so I could get him to make dinner almost every night if I planned for burgers and shish kabobs!  One of our favorite summer dishes is fruit salad because it's quick, delicious, and takes advantage of all that fabulous summer fruit.  Plus, it's easy to customize; you can throw in just about any fruit you want!  I've tried all kinds of fruit salad recipes and most of them are pretty good, but this one called itself "The Best Darn Fruit Salad" and I have to admit I agreed!

Besides the versatility of this recipe, I also like how the pudding mix can be kept separate and spooned on top before serving.  That way, the salad can taste just as good the next day, and the next day, and the next......which is good because every fruit salad recipe I've ever tried makes a ton!  That's okay for this one, though, because it really is the best darn fruit salad I've ever made.  Darn tootin'.

Best Darn Fruit Salad   
link to original recipe 
Prep time: 10 min.  Chill time: 3 hrs
Serves 12 

1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 medium ripe bananas, sliced
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
2 medium ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup green grapes
1 cup seedless red grapes
Fresh mint, optional 

Drain pineapple chunks, reserving juice. Add water to juice if necessary to measure 3/4 cup. In a large bowl, combine the juice, crushed pineapple, sour cream and pudding mix until blended. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until thickened.

In a large bowl, combine the blueberries, peaches, strawberries, grapes and pineapple chunks. Right before serving, slice and add the bananas and spread pudding mixture over the top. Garnish with mint if desired.

150 calories per serving. Click here for more nutritional info and shopping list!