September 21, 2011

Liven Up the Lunch Box

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Margaret's Morsels | Lillie's Fruit Salad

School may have only been in session a couple of weeks in some parts of the country, but my son's school resumed the beginning of August.  If your child takes lunch everyday, liven up the lunch box by replacing fresh fruit with fruit salad.  The recipe I'm sharing uses fruit most kids love:  apples, bananas and pineapple.

When I was growing up, my mother made a fruit salad that her mother made for her when she was a child.  I make the same salad for my son, the fourth generation to enjoy this salad.  My mother always called it fruit salad but, to distinguish it from my other fruit salad recipes, I call it Lillie's Fruit Salad in honor of my grandmother.

Start by emptying the pineapple with its juice in a mixing bowl.  The pineapple juice will help keep the apples and bananas from turning brown. Now that I own a pineapple slicer, I substitute fresh pineapple when I have one on hand.  If you use fresh pineapple, put some orange juice in the mixing bowl first as a substitute for the pineapple juice.


Margaret's Morsels | Lillie's Fruit Salad
 Fresh pineapple cut into smaller chunks.

I use a Red Delicious apple, but you can use your favorite variety or pair two different varieties for a contrast of taste and texture.  Peel and core the apple, dice it into bite size pieces and put in the mixing bowl with the pineapple.  Slice the bananas into rounds and add them to the mixing bowl.


Margaret's Morsels | Lillie's Fruit Salad
Made with fresh pineapple.

To make sure the fruit doesn't turn brown, cover the mixture with orange juice or an orange juice blend, such as orange pineapple or orange pineapple banana.  These blends work well because the juice enhances the fruit used in the salad.


Margaret's Morsels | Lillie's Fruit Salad

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  To keep the salad cold in a lunch box, pack it in an insulated container.  If you don't have one, put the salad in an airtight container and use an ice pack in the lunch box.  Ice packs like the ones pictured below are inexpensive and reusable.


Margaret's Morsels | Lillie's Fruit Salad

If you don't have to pack a lunch box, the salad makes a great side dish, snack or dessert.  It's a tasty way to eat a variety of fruit at one time.

Lillie's Fruit Salad
4 to 6 Servings

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple in its own juice (undrained) or desired amount of fresh pineapple, chopped into small pieces
1 or 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced into bite size pieces (I use 1)
2 bananas, peeled and sliced into rounds
orange juice or orange juice blend (enough to cover)

Empty the pineapple and juice into a mixing bowl.  (If using fresh pineapple, put some orange juice in the bowl first.)  Add the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.  Keep refrigerated.


© Margaret's Morsels


10 comments:

  1. I love the simplicity of this recipe...and it's so healthy too! What a great cooking project for the little ones! I am looking forward to making this fruit salad with my granddaughters!

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    1. Thanks! I hope your little ones will enjoy the salad. If you can get a fresh pineapple, try using it instead of canned. It takes the salad to a whole different level!

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  2. What a neat idea! Love this!

    Would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, and tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  3. Thanks, Jess! It's a tasty alternative to an apple or banana in a lunchbox. I'd love to share the link on your Facebook group.

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  4. This sounds really good and thanks for sharing this at our Monday Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

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  5. Love this simple fruit salad, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning.

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  6. Thanks for pinning and hosting the party, Swathi!

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  7. My kids love fruit salads, this sounds like a great one for us to try. Thanks for sharing your special recipe at the #HomeMattersParty

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    1. Thanks, Nicole! I hope your kids enjoy the salad as much as we do. Thanks for hosting the party!

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