Thursday, May 2, 2013

Fruit Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup

Oh. My. Word!  My best friend, Pioneer Woman, did NOT let me down when she shared this recipe on her Food Network Easter episode this year.  I love fruit...but this syrup puts it over the top!  It's awesome as part of a breakfast buffet or as a light summer dessert.  I've even made the syrup, poured it over just the strawberries and served the strawberries over short cakes.  Sigh....

For the Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
The juice and zest of 1 orange
2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a small sauce pan, add all of the ingredients and stir to combine.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to Low and simmer for 15-20 minutes and allow it to thicken slightly.  Set aside to cool, then place in the fridge until it's cold.

For the Fruit:
4 pints strawberries, hulled and halved
2 pints blueberries
2 cups red grapes, halved
2 cups green grapes, halved
Mint leaves

Mix together all of the fruit in a large bowl and pour the cold syrup all over the top.  Toss gently to coat.  Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
 

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