Description
Sunshine Salad radiates tropical cheerfulness with its colorful medley of fresh ingredients. Crisp greens, juicy citrus, and zesty dressing combine to deliver a refreshing culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups mandarin oranges
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Creamy Base:
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing bowl and gently combine mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks, ensuring delicate handling to maintain fruit integrity.
- Fold whipped cream and vanilla yogurt together, creating a smooth, velvety base with consistent texture and minimal lumps.
- Drizzle honey and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture, stirring gently to distribute flavors evenly throughout the base.
- Sprinkle shredded coconut over the fruit, allowing it to nestle between the orange and pineapple pieces for enhanced tropical essence.
- Carefully incorporate the creamy mixture into the fruit and coconut, using a folding technique to prevent crushing the delicate fruit segments.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds across the top of the salad, providing a crunchy contrast to the soft, creamy texture.
- Add a whisper of salt to heighten the overall flavor profile, balancing the sweetness of the fruits and honey.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and create a refreshing, cool dessert experience.
- Before serving, give a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and ensure each spoonful captures the sunshine-inspired medley of flavors.
Notes
- Fruit Selection Matters: Choose ripe, firm mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks for the best texture and sweetness, avoiding overly soft or mushy fruits.
- Whipping Technique: Gently fold cream and yogurt to maintain airiness, preventing deflation that could make the base heavy and dense.
- Flavor Balancing: Add just a pinch of salt to enhance the sweet notes, creating a more complex and rounded taste profile.
- Serving Flexibility: Prepare this salad ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg