Save It A vibrant, refreshing fruit salad featuring the best of winter produce, tossed with a warm-spiced cinnamon vanilla dressing. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and festive gatherings.
Save It This recipe celebrates the season's jewel-toned fruits, combining the sweetness of mandarin oranges with the crunch of apples and the tartness of pomegranate arils, all unified by a simple yet elegant spiced syrup.
Ingredients
- → Fruit
- 10 mandarin oranges (e.g., Cuties), peeled and segmented
- 4 large Fuji apples, cored and diced
- 2 pomegranates, arils removed
- → Cinnamon Vanilla Dressing
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract)
Instructions
- 1.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean (including seeds and pod).
- 2.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.
- 3.
- Remove from heat and allow the dressing to cool to room temperature (about 1 hour). Remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla pod.
- 4.
- In a large bowl, combine the mandarin orange segments, diced apples, and pomegranate arils.
- 5.
- Drizzle the cooled cinnamon vanilla dressing over the fruit. Gently toss until evenly coated.
- 6.
- Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For a lighter dressing, you can reduce the granulated sugar to ¾ cup. It is essential to let the syrup cool completely for about 1 hour before tossing with the fruit to maintain the salad's fresh texture.
Varianten und Anpassungen
If you don’t have a vanilla bean, substitute it with 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. You can also add variety to the salad by including sliced pears, kiwi, or persimmon.
Serviervorschläge
This salad pairs beautifully with sparkling wine or a light white wine. Serve it immediately as a refreshing appetizer or chill it in the refrigerator until your festive meal is ready.
Save It By highlighting the best produce winter has to offer, this salad with its warm-spiced dressing becomes a sophisticated and refreshing highlight of any holiday menu.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → Can I make this fruit salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cinnamon vanilla dressing up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Combine the fruit and dressing just before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.
- → What other fruits work well in this winter salad?
Pears, kiwi, persimmons, or grape segments make excellent additions. The cinnamon vanilla dressing complements any sweet, firm fruit that holds its shape well when tossed.
- → How long does the dressing need to cool?
The dressing requires about 1 hour to cool completely to room temperature. You can speed this process by placing the saucepan in an ice bath and stirring occasionally, but avoid adding the hot dressing directly to fresh fruit.
- → Can I reduce the sugar in the dressing?
Absolutely. For a lighter version, reduce the granulated sugar to 3/4 cup. The dressing will still provide plenty of sweetness and flavor while being less sugary overall.
- → What wines pair well with this dish?
Sparkling wine, prosecco, or a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complement the sweet and spiced notes beautifully. The fruit's brightness balances nicely with bubbly options.