Tropical Fruit Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing

Happy, happy Friday to you, friends!!!

I actually forgot it was Friday until 10:00 Thursday night, hence the reason why this post is coming at you a little later than normal. Pregnancy brain + excessive heat warnings are real afflictions, I’m telling you! Send help. And bananas. We’re fresh out.

Speaking of excessive heat, Iowa plus a good portion of the country has been SCORCHING hot this week. Humid, heat index in the 110s, and well, pretty gross. (I know, I know, friends in the Southwest – lolololol.)

That said, in an attempt to keep every appliance besides the espresso machine in the off position, I’ve been making a lot of no-cook meals this week (think sandwiches, rice bowls, takeout…cough,) and this insane Tropical Fruit Salad with Chili Lime Dressing.

“This is kind of different!”

“This does taste very good!”

Are just a couple of ways Lincoln described this fruit salad with a must-try twist after tasting it for the first time! (Talk about lolololol!)

Fruit never sounds as good to me as it does when it’s blazing-hot outside. Naturally sweet, juicy, and ice cold. The perfect, all-natural way to beat the heat and stay hydrated. I love keeping a big bowl of it in the fridge to choose for healthy snacks during the day, and as a fermented beverage replacement at night while I’m pregnant. You understand.

Anyway, Lincoln loves fruit salad too so we like to try out different combinations to keep it exciting for him. This Mexican-inspired flavored fruit salad is totally hitting the spot. Tropical fruit including watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, and mango are chopped then tossed in a Chili-Lime Dressing made of lime juice, powdered sugar, and you guessed it, chili powder, which adds a little zing (not heat!) to this fruit salad. It’s wild and terribly refreshing, especially in this heat.

You might have seen mangoes on a stick sprinkled with chili powder at a street fair or Farmer’s Market in the past, and there’s good reason for it. The super sweet fruit with just a hint of smokey flavor is a fabulous pairing. Totally addicting and easy to do, too! Oh, and if you have leftovers of the fruit salad (this recipe makes a ton,) blend them up then freeze into popsicles (?) or blend with ice and tequila for a little tropical fruit and chili margarita action.

You’re welcome!

Like I said, this fruit salad could not be any easier. In a large bowl combine 4 cups each fresh pineapple (about 1 small pineapple,) and watermelon, 1 large mango that’s been chopped, and 1/2 cantaloupe that’s been chopped (use the other half as an edible breakfast bowl, or do what I did and blend it with fresh watermelon and lime juice to make popsicles. Told you it was the summer of the popsicle!)

Next, shake or whisk together the Chili-Lime Dressing which is just 1/4 cup each lime juice and powdered sugar, and 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder. This amount of chili powder is enough to make this fruit salad interesting, but definitely not spicy. Lincoln, whose nearly 3, eats it with no problem. That said, if you want to take things up a notch, increase the amount of chili powder to 2 teaspoons. It still won’t make the fruit spicy, but the flavor will be more pronounced. Your call!

Mix everything up, then serve! If you’re wanting to make this fruit salad ahead of time I’d wait to dress it until right before serving. Hope you enjoy this beautiful fruit salad with a twist – and stay cool wherever you are!

Tropical Fruit Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing

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Description

Tropical Fruit Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing is an easy and refreshing fruit salad with a special, must-try twist.

Ingredients

serves 8-10

• 4 cups chopped pineapple (about 1 small pineapple)
• 4 cups chopped watermelon
• 1/2 cantaloupe, seeded and chopped
• 1 large mango, chopped
• For the Chili-Lime Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder

Directions

1. Add pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and mango to a large bowl. Combine ingredients for Chili-Lime Dressing in a jar with a tight fitting lid then shake to combine. Drizzle over fruit then toss to coat and serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.