Dr. Uma’s Fruit Salad
Introduction: Two words: rainbow fruit.
Ingredients:
- Red: strawberries, fresh pitted cherries, raspberries
- Orange: oranges, mandarins/satsumas, cantaloupe
- Yellow: pineapple, mango, banana
- Green: kiwi, green grapes, cantaloupe
- Blue: blueberries
- Purple: blackberries, grapes
- Spices: any combination of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, and a couple of sprigs of fresh mint
Preparation:
Cut the fruit into pieces, toss with spices. Enjoy!
Tip: try leaving the kiwi skins on. They are rich in prebiotic fiber.
Tip: use seasonal fruits whenever possible. They will be fresher, more nutrient-dense and have a richer taste and flavor!
Dr. Uma‘s “disclaimer” with her recipes:
While I love to eat, I’ll be the first to admit I did not grow up a “foodie” nor as a cook. (In fact, my mom pampered me as a child, cooking for me and barely asking me to lift a finger to help. I barely had a clue as to how to make rice or tea/coffee until I was well into my thirties!) And when I finally did start to cook on my own, creating healthy food was my last priority. In fact, I developed a penchant for baking, and quite clearly remember my “go-to” comfort foods/recipes were apple crisp, lemon squares, and oatmeal cookies!
All this is to say, my interest in cooking has definitely evolved, and I’m still working hard to be an even better cook for myself, for my health, and for the health and wellness of my friends, family, and patients. So when I share recipes with you here, on this website, it’s not to make claims that I am a “super chef” or anything even remotely like that. It’s just to share that if I can do it, anyone can.
And I don’t tend to use precise measurements when I cook at home. Like my mom, I tend to be somewhat spontaneous as I cook, creating and modifying as I go. I try to recollect flavorful memories from my childhood, travels near and far, and often “play around” with recipes after “Googling” ideas and ingredients online.
For instance, I shared a recipe for an Ecuadorian travel-inspired avocado chickpea red onion salad here. I suggested using 3 avocados, but you might like it more or less! Or, you might like more red onion or no black pepper! Some of you might like to add in some garlic and/or cherry tomatoes! Now that I’m typing this….. I’m thinking adding some mint could add a fresh taste too!
One of the best parts of cooking is the fun you’ll have learning to experiment. Half the fun is making edible mistakes and sharing your recipes for helpful hints and collaboration too!
Here’s to cooking for health!
Love,
Dr. Uma