As spring and summer wax and wane, bringing new bounties and harvests, nothing speaks the tune of warm weather quite like fruit. And while there are a million and one ways to utilize fruit, fruit salad is a pure way to enjoy fruit as is. The problem is fruit salad never has a great reputation. That’s about to change with this Fruit Salad Dressing. A small and simple mix of ingredients enhances the flavors of fruit as well as keep them from becoming wonky.

When one thinks of fruit salad, the mind goes to a sad, wilted bowl of melons and pineapples at the end of a hotel buffet or cooking in the heat of an outdoor potluck. None are memorable or something to actually look forward to with anticipation. Here, this Fruit Salad Dressing enhances the flavor of the fruit and adds a wonderful texture with the addition of poppy seeds.

The ingredient list is small consisting of citrus juice, honey, and poppy seeds. Depending on the portion of fruit you have, you can increase the amount of the dressing you utilize. You can use orange, lemon, or lime for the citrus juice, as certain citruses will complement certain fruits. If you want even more citrus flavor, you can mix in citrus zest as well.

Whisk all of the ingredients in a bowl or measuring cup. For a richer feel, you can add a teaspoon of olive oil or neutral oil, but it’s not necessary.

Combine the dressing with the fruit.

Gently toss, and you’re done!

This time around, the Fruit Salad Dressing is a quick way to add interest to a simple bowl of fruit without compromising the texture and taste of the fruit. The citrus and honey are subtle and enhance the fruits’ natural tart and sweet flavors.

The poppy seeds add an interesting, nutty floral note and an interesting texture.

This dressing brings a side dish to the center of the stage, and showcases the bountiful seasonal fruits in the best possible way!