Fruit Mélange Recipe

1. Wash all fruit thoroughly. Hull and quarter the strawberries, halve the grapes, dice the pineapple and mango into small, uniform pieces for even texture and presentation. Combine strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, grapes, and mango in a large mixing bowl.

2. Gently toss the fruit with a wide spoon or spatula to avoid crushing delicate berries. Refrigerate the bowl while you prepare the dressing, about 5–10 minutes, to keep the fruit bright and cool.

3. Make the dressing

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the fresh orange juice, lemon juice, honey, lime zest, vanilla extract, sea salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is glossy.

4. Taste the dressing and adjust: add up to 1 teaspoon more honey if you'd like it sweeter, or a little more lemon juice if you'd like brighter acidity.

5. Let the dressing sit for 1–2 minutes so the flavors meld and the lime zest softens.

6. Remove the fruit bowl from the refrigerator. Drizzle the citrus-honey dressing evenly over the fruit. Using a large spoon, gently fold the dressing into the fruit until everything is lightly coated—do not overmix.

7. Fold in about half of the torn mint leaves and half of the toasted almonds so some texture is incorporated throughout the mélange.

8. Transfer the fruit mélange to a serving bowl or individual plates. Sprinkle the remaining toasted almonds and the remaining mint on top. If using, garnish with microgreens or edible flowers for a chef’s-selection look.

9. Serve immediately or chill for up to 1 hour. Note: do not marinate longer than 2 hours to avoid the fruit becoming overly soft or releasing too much juice.