FRESH FRUIT with POPPY SEED DRESSING

Ingredients

1 banana, sliced

1/2 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar

1/4 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 cup raspberries

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup seedless red grapes

1 cup cubed watermelon

1 cup halved fresh strawberries

1 cup cubed cantaloupe

1 cup blueberries

1 cup sliced plums

Directions

In a blender or food processor, combine banana, orange juice, lime juice, poppy seeds, raspberry vinegar, olive oil, raspberries, salt and cayenne pepper, and puree until smooth. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.

Combine grapes, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries and plums in a large bowl. Pour dressing over fruit and toss to coat.

Recipe provided by:  www.Allrecipes.com; Recipe submitted by:  Krista B

GRILLED PLUMS

Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, melted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 8 plums, pitted and halved
1 tablespoon sugar
1 bunch fresh mint, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the grill medium heat. Mix butter and vanilla and brush on cut sides of the fruit.  Sprinkle lightly with sugar. Place fruit, cut-side down on the grill for exactly 4 minutes. Carefully remove to a serving platter with a spatula and arrange decoratively. Garnish with the mint in the center of the platter.  

PLUM, SPINACH, BASIL, OLIVE OIL, and CITRUS SALAD

Ingredients
2 tablespoons salad grade olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice or ½ tablespoon concentrate
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon grated lime or lemon peel
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt
10-ounce fresh spinach leaves, torn
2 cups basil leaves, torn
2 to 4 (if small) Japanese-type plums—halved, pitted and thinly sliced

Directions
Prepare dressing:  In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, balsamic vinegar and the ground peel. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
In a large bowl, toss the spinach, basil, plums and dressing. Add pepper and salt to taste.  Serves 4.

SPICY OVEN-ROASTED PLUMS

Ingredients

4 plums, halved and pitted

1/2 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

Place the plums, cut-side up, in a single layer in the baking dish.

Whisk together the orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, and cardamom in a bowl; drizzle over the plums.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until plums are hot and the sauce is bubbly.

*Season with ground white pepper and use it as a side dish for pork or chicken. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and spoon it over vanilla bean ice cream, angel food, or pound cake for dessert! Play around with the spice combination by adding cloves, allspice, or cayenne. Be adventurous!

Recipe provided by:  www.Allrecipes.com; Recipe submitted by: JJOYB53