Middle Eastern Inspired Fruit Platter Recipes

FRESH FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• I like to begin the platter with a base of ripe, colorful, sliced melons and pineapple--for example, cantaloupe, honeydew, Galia, or Cavaillon melons, plus the new "golden" pineapples. Peel the outside of a whole melon, cut it in half through the stem end, and scoop out the seeds. Place the melon halves cut side down on a board, and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan each half-melon out slightly and arrange it on the platter. Next, cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, peel the outside, and use a sharp knife to remove the "eyes." Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise and remove the core by cutting a "V" down the center of each half. Again, place the pineapple halves, cut side down, on a board and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan the slices out and arrange them next to the melon on the platter.
• Once the base is set, you can add any kind of fruit that's available. I like to have one thing that is taller than the rest, such as a large bunch of grapes or a decoratively cut papaya, to give the platter height. Then I add raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and fresh figs in casual but organized groups. The platter can look like a bowl of M&M's if there are too many colors scattered with no order. Visually, your eye needs to have a focal point and to be able to see each type of fruit. After all the fruit is arranged, I add flat green leaves around the outside of the fruit, to set off the colors. Use lemon and galax leaves from your florist, or fig leaves and grape leaves from your garden. Make sure they are pesticide-free and well washed.
• Any kind of fruit will work well on this platter. For special occasions, add persimmons, kiwi, passion fruit, Queen Anne cherries, fresh apricots, and mangos. Choose whatever is colorful and seasonal.

MIDDLE EASTERN PLATTER

Steps:

• Prep: In a small container, combine lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. In a medium container, combine tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley; place onion in a separate plastic bag. If preparing this recipe in advance, see storage instructions (below).
• Serve: Add onion and dressing to vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Serve with hummus (sprinkled with paprika and remaining olive oil), feta (thickly sliced), olives, and pita.

MIDDLE EASTERN INSPIRED FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange sliced fruit artfully on a pretty platter. For presentation, I like to place the strawberry slices upright between the slices of melon. The grapes I arrange around the outer edge of the platter.
• Drizzle with the rose water and orange blossom water.
• Garnish with mint leaves.

MIDDLE EASTERN MEZZE PLATE

Steps:

• Soak the red onion in a bowl of ice water until ready to use. Cook the couscous as the label directs.
• Meanwhile, cook the edamame as the label directs; drain and rinse under cold water. Toss the edamame, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork. Drain the red onion and squeeze dry. Add the couscous and red onion to the bowl with the edamame mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates and serve with the hummus, stuffed grape leaves, Peppadew peppers and pita wedges.