Ina Garten Adds This Surprising Ingredient to Her Fruit Salad
If it's good enough for Ina, it's good enough for us.
Nothing tastes quite as refreshing during the warmer months as a cool and juicy fruit salad. Whether you love to include berries, a touch of citrus, or all of the above, it’s a delicious (and healthy) treat that can make a sunny day even better. Want to upgrade yours even more? Snag this quick tip from the queen of cooking herself, Ina Garten. All it takes it the addition of a single ingredient: Limoncello.
When it comes to whipping up a refreshing and sweet fruit salad, Garten likes to top it off with three tablespoons of limoncello and serve it alongside Greek yogurt mixed with lemon curd, honey, and vanilla. (You can get the full recipe here.) Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made of lemon zest, water, sugar, and vodka. You can get it at the liquor store or try your hand at making your own.
Of course, the dessert is completely customizable, and you can add any fruits you love; you can also alter your yogurt additions depending on your preferences. Maybe, for example, you swap out those berries for some pineapple and and mango and substitute that lemon curd for a handful of granola — anything goes.
While Garten keeps her dish a little boozy, you can definitely make this recipe using two tablespoons of lemon juice instead of liqueur to get the same effect minus the alcohol. Not only will the juice brighten up your salad, but it’s also great at preserving the freshness of your fruit thanks to its acidity, which prevents browning. If you’re worried that the tartness of your lemon juice may overpower the rest of the dish, mix those tablespoons of juice with one teaspoon of sugar to make it a touch sweeter. Feel free to adjust the ratio depending on what you like and how much fruit you’re serving.
One thing’s for sure: I know what I’m having for dessert tonight!
This article was updated on September 23, 2022.
