Cinnful Basil-Mint Fruit Salad

There is just something magical about fresh fruit salad. Simple, sweet, refreshing, nourishing...

But this is no ordinary fruit salad. Oh no, my friends... this is Fruit Salad 2.0.

First on the list will be lots of fresh fruit. Honestly, you can pick whatever you fancy. I happen to like making this recipe with one peach, one mango, three kiwis, one banana, about one cup of chopped pineapple, some cherries, and some raspberries (or blackberries). Phew. That's a lot of goodness. 

Next, we're shaking things up a little. Grab some basil, mint, and half a lime.

And NOW we're talkin'. 

So to get started, chop up the fruit into generous, bite-sized pieces. If you've never cut into a mango before, the pit may be a little surprising. It's very big and skinny. I have yet to figure out the best way to get that thing outta there... 

Oh, and by the way, I leave the skin on the mango. Sorry if that freaks you out. I also leave the skin on the peach. And the kiwis. Please don't judge me!

To cut up the kiwi, I swirl out the hard ends and then chop it up as is. 

This is totally optional, of course. Some people just can't handle the texture, but I find the health benefits to be completely worth the extra chewing. Feel free to do it the way you like - I'm not watching over your shoulder. Or am I?

Yum. 

Now... you've got it all chopped up? Good. 

Commence lime squeezing. 

Ahhh... time for the finishing touches. Grab your mint and basil, and give it a good, thorough chop. Then, take a heaping 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and mix it in with your greens. Pinch up all that flavor, and toss it in with the fruit. Use your hands; it's ok to get a little messy here. 

You did wash your hands, right?

I find that this is a simple way to get the cinnamon all throughout the fruit salad, instead of having a huge clump get stuck to one piece of fruit. This is not cinnamon-challenge fruit salad. 

The natural sweetness of the fruit mixed with the spice and flavor of the basil, mint, and cinnamon really work well together. There is a depth to this recipe that you won't find in the average fruit salad. With all-natural, fresh ingredients and no added sugar, this is one delicious, nutritious dish! Makes one serving. Oh, I mean twelve!  

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Good for: breakfast, side, snack

Prep Time: 10-20 min (how fast can you chop?)

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

WW PointsPlus® value: 0 (yay for fresh fruit!)

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Cinnful Basil-Mint Fruit Salad

Makes about twelve 1/2 c. servings

1 Banana

1 Peach

1 Mango

3 Kiwis

1 c. Pineapple (chopped)

1/3 c. Cherries

1/3 c. Raspberries (or blackberries)

1/2 Lime

3 Fresh Basil Leaves

About 7 Fresh Mint Leaves

1/4 tsp Cinnamon (heaping)

1. Remove skin if you want! Chop all fruit into chunky, bite-sized pieces. 

2. Give basil and mint leaves a good chop. Mix in cinnamon.

3. Toss cinnamon-coated basil and mint into fruit salad. 

4. Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!