Name: Melon, Plums, and Cherries with Mint and Vanilla
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 4 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint; 3 cups ½-inch cantaloupe pieces; 2 plums , halved, pitted, and cut into ½-inch pieces; 8 ounces fresh sweet cherries , pitted and halved; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lime juice , plus extra for seasoning

Why This Recipe Works

This elegant fresh fruit salad is equally at home on a dessert table as it is at brunch. We chose a combination of cantaloupe, plums, and cherries, which not only offered a range of complementary flavors but also looked gorgeous. A small amount of sugar encouraged the fruit to release its juices. We balanced that sweetness with fresh lime juice, but tasters wanted even more complexity. Mashing the sugar with fresh mint before stirring it into the fruit worked perfectly and ensured even distribution of bright minty flavor. Since our fruit salad had come together so easily, we decided to apply the same techniques to a variation with peaches and berries, using fresh basil in place of the mint and a small amount of pepper to bring the flavors to life.

Before You Begin

Blueberries can be substituted for the cherries.

Instructions

Combine sugar and mint in large bowl. Using rubber spatula, press mixture into side of bowl until sugar becomes damp, about 30 seconds. Add cantaloupe, plums, cherries, and vanilla and gently toss to combine. Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until fruit releases its juices, 15 to 30 minutes. Stir in lime juice and season with extra lime juice to taste. Serve.