Mary berry melon salad
Mary berry melon salad
Mary Berry, one of the UK’s most beloved chefs and television personalities, has created a fresh and flavorful melon salad that is perfect for summertime entertaining. Made with juicy honeydew, cantaloupe, and galia melons tossed in a sweet lime juice dressing with fragrant mint leaves, this refreshing fruit salad is sure to be a hit at any summer gathering. It’s light, colorful and easy to prepare – making it the perfect addition to your next picnic or barbecue.
why people also love Mary berry melon salad
People love This melon salad for many reasons. For one, it’s a refreshing and healthy dish that is perfect for hot summer days. The combination of juicy honeydew, cantaloupe, and galia melons provides a variety of flavors and textures that are both sweet and satisfying. Additionally, the dressing made with lime juice adds a tangy kick to the sweetness of the fruit while fresh mint leaves add an aromatic flavor that elevates the overall taste of the dish.
Finally, this salad is easy to prepare which makes it ideal for entertaining guests or as a quick snack on-the-go. All these factors make Mary Berry’s melon salad popular among people who enjoy delicious yet simple dishes during summertime gatherings or any time they want something light and refreshing to eat!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 honeydew melon, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cantaloupe, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 galia melon, seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Juice of 3 limes
- 4 tbsp caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
- Cut all three types of melons in half, remove seeds with a spoon or knife.
- Cut each half into slices about an inch thick then remove skin using a sharp knife.
- Cube the flesh of each type of melon so that they’re roughly equal sizes.
- In a small bowl whisk together lime juice and caster sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cubed melon to a large mixing bowl and pour over the lime juice mixture, gently toss until all of the melon is coated.
- Cover with cling film (plastic wrap) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Just before serving, chop up a handful of fresh mint leaves and sprinkle them over the top of the salad.
Quick Facts:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including refrigeration time)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: Serves 4
Equipment Needed:
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Small mixing bowl
- Large mixing bowl
- Cling film (plastic wrap)
Storing and Serving Suggestions:
This salad is best served chilled. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Expert Tips & Tricks:
- To make this dish even more refreshing, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
- If you don’t have caster sugar, regular granulated sugar can be used as a substitute.
- For added flavor and texture, consider adding some crumbled feta cheese or chopped nuts to the salad.
Nutrition Information:
Per serving (based on 4 servings):
- Calories: 114
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Sugar: 24g
- Protein: 2.4 g
Presentation:
To serve, you can either divide the salad into individual bowls or place it in a large serving dish for everyone to help themselves. Garnish with additional mint leaves if desired and enjoy!
Variations and substitutions for Mary berry melon salad:
- Fruit Substitutions: You can substitute the honeydew or cantaloupe with other types of melons such as watermelon, muskmelon, or even exotic fruits like papaya and mango.
- Dressing Variations: Instead of using lime juice in the dressing, you can use lemon juice or orange juice to add a different citrus flavor. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar for an extra tangy kick.
- Herb Substitutions: If you don’t have mint on hand, you can use basil leaves instead for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Nutty Crunch: Adding chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios will give your fruit salad a crunchy texture and added protein boost.
- Cheese It Up!: Feta cheese crumbles can be added to the salad for a savory twist. Blue cheese or goat cheese would also work well.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Instead of using honey, you can use agave nectar or maple syrup as a natural sweetener alternative.
- Spice It Up!: Adding a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper will give your melon salad a spicy kick and balance out the sweetness of the fruit.
- Greens Galore: Adding arugula leaves, baby spinach, or mixed greens to your fruit salad will add extra nutrition and texture to your dish.
- Boozy Boost: For an adult version of this dish, you can add some rum or vodka to the dressing mixture for an extra boozy kick!
- Yogurt Dressing: You can swap out the honey-lime dressing with Greek yogurt mixed with honey and lime juice for a creamy and tangy dressing alternative.
Recommendations and notices
- Use ripe melons: For the best flavor and texture, use fully ripened melons that are fragrant and slightly soft to the touch.
- Chill before serving: This salad is best served chilled so be sure to refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving.
- Dressing quantity: The amount of dressing you need may vary depending on how juicy your fruits are, so start with a smaller amount of dressing first then add more as needed.
- Serving size: Keep in mind that this recipe serves 6 people as a side dish or light dessert, so adjust the quantities accordingly if you’re making it for fewer or more people.
- Presentation matters: To make your fruit salad look extra fancy, consider using a melon baller tool to create uniform melon balls, or slice the melons into decorative shapes.
- Customize to your taste: Feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your preferences by adding more or less of certain ingredients, such as herbs or sweeteners.
- Nutritional information: This salad is a great source of vitamins and fiber from the fresh fruits, Remember, it contains added sugar from honey, so it may not be suitable for a low-sugar diet.
- Allergy concerns: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to check all ingredient labels carefully before preparing this dish.
- Leftovers storage: Any leftover fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Enjoy! Finally, don’t forget to savor each bite of this delicious and refreshing summer treat!
FAQ for Mary berry melon salad
Yes! You can substitute the honeydew or cantaloupe with other types of melons such as watermelon, muskmelon, or even exotic fruits like papaya and mango.
If you’re looking to reduce your sugar intake, consider using a natural sweetener alternative like agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey.
Yes! Adding chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios or crumbled cheese like feta or goat cheese can add extra flavor and texture to the salad.
Yes! You can prepare the fruit and dressing separately in advance, then combine them just before serving for a quick and easy dish.
Mint is a classic herb that pairs well with melon, but you could also try adding basil, cilantro, or even thyme for a unique twist on the dish.
