Whether you’re looking for a delicious complement to your daily breakfast, need a convenient grab-and-go afternoon snack, or are trying to eat a well-balanced diet, fruit provides endless options in terms of flavor, nutrients, and versatility. It’s true that fruit is often associated with breakfast or snack time, but it shouldn’t end there. Cooking with fruit is a simple way to create meals that are flavorful, healthy, and interesting. Check out these unexpected ways to cook with fruit that your family and friends are sure to love.
Snack on Dried Fruits
Everyone loves fresh fruit, especially on a hot summer day. While fresh fruit is delicious, it’s not always the most convenient fruit option in some circumstances. If you’re traveling, have a hard time eating the fresh fruit you buy before it goes bad, or are craving a fruit that’s not in season, dried fruit is a wonderful snacking alternative. Dried fruit provides a sweet, satisfying flavor while still packing a punch in terms of nutrients. Best of all, it can stay fresh for months in your pantry, making it the ideal choice to add to trail mix, a parfait, or by itself.
Replace Meat with Jackfruit
Replacing meat with jackfruit can be a smart and sustainable choice for several reasons. First, jackfruit is a nutritious and versatile fruit that can mimic the texture and taste of meat, making it a satisfying plant-based alternative. It is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being low in calories and saturated fat, which can contribute to improved heart health and weight management.
Additionally, jackfruit is an environmentally friendly option. It requires significantly fewer resources and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to meat production. By choosing jackfruit, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
Drink Their Juice
Who says that the only way to enjoy fruit is to eat it? Drinking fruit juice can help you stay hydrated and reap nutritional benefits while enjoying a delicious beverage any time of day. While you can certainly purchase fruit juice that’s already been prepared, making your own at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients you consume. Don’t be afraid to juice fruits you’ve never tried before, such as passion fruit. You may be surprised by how delicious something new can be.
Mix It In Your Cereal
It doesn’t take much to increase the health benefits of an ordinary breakfast. Adding fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, or blueberries, to your morning cereal or oatmeal is an easy way to increase your fiber and antioxidant intake. Best of all, it requires minimal prep and will taste delicious!
Add It to Your Marinade
The acidity and sweetness found in many citrus fruits make them the perfect complement to add to virtually any marinade. The next time you’re in the mood for fish, pork, or chicken, try adding a splash of orange, lemon, or lime juice to your ordinary spice concoction. The result is sure to be tangy, juicy, and balanced.
Throw It on the Grill
If you think that fruit has no business being near a grill, think again. Grilling fruit creates a sweet, smokey flavor that can brighten up just about any meal. With so many fruits to choose from, it’s best to look for ones that are hardy enough to hold up to the high temperature and not fall apart on your grill. Peaches, pineapples, and even watermelon all make yummy grill options.
Have It for Dessert
Because of its natural sweetness, it’s no surprise that fruit can take your dessert game to the next level. Bake peaches, apples, or pears in the oven with a crumbly topping to create easy yet impressive cobblers, break down raspberries in a small pot over low heat for a simple sauce to top your favorite cheesecake, or dice strawberries and serve over ice cream for the perfect ending to any meal.
At International Market, we want to make preparing healthy, delicious meals at home simple and fun. That’s why we’re proud to provide a large variety of quality ingredients from around the world in our fresh produce department. To find everything you need to create fruit-friendly meals for your family and friends, visit us online today!
