recipe: summer fruit salad with lime syrup

Enjoy the last of the summer fruit for the season in this refreshing fruit salad. The lime syrup enhances the taste of the fruit and adds a delicious tang.  You can use any combination of fruits for this healthy no-fuss dessert – my favourites: mango, papaya and berries. 

Ingredients (serves 4):
2 tablespoons caster sugar
1/3 cup water
2 limes, zest grated and juiced
About 1 kg assorted fresh fruit, such as:

• Mangoes
• Pineapple
• Lychees
• Papaya
• Kiwi fruit
• Peaches
• Nectarines
• Berries
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Melon
• Plums
• Bananas

To garnish:  shredded coconut, toasted (click here to learn how to toast coconut)
To serve:  yoghurt, cream or ice-cream

Method:
1.    Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir over a low heat until the sugar dissolves.
2.    Increase the heat to medium, add the lime zest and simmer for 2 minutes. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
3.    Cut the fruit into bite sized chunks and place into a bowl. Add the lime juice and syrup and stir gently until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4.    Spoon the fruit salad into stemmed glasses or serving dishes.  Sprinkle with the toasted shredded coconut and serve with yoghurt, cream or ice cream.

Wine Suggestion:
Late Harvest Riesling