Thanks to their vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fruits are like a good health insurance policy and can be enjoyed countless ways! It’s easy to add fruit to your favourite recipes (salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, desserts) for more nutritional, more flavourful dishes! 

To reap the most benefits from fruits, do not add fat or sugar when preparing them and do not overcook, so that they maintain all their nutritional value. Here are a few original ideas for putting fruit on the menu, from the appetizer to the dessert. 

With cocktails

Frozen grapes as ice cubes in drinks (Wash grapes and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Raspberries, melon balls, pitted cherries and other fruit can also be frozen.) 

Mini-skewers of shrimp and mango, chicken and strawberries, or bocconcini and nectarine

As appetizers

A grapefruit and avocado salad drizzled with orange vinaigrette

A spinach and blackberry (or raspberry) salad with toasted almonds and honey dressing

Pear halves stuffed with a mixture of flaked tuna, diced sweet pepper and plain yogurt

In main dishes

Salad of couscous with apple, sweet pepper, chicken and feta cheese

Fish fillet with fruit salsa: chopped pineapple, orange, plum and red onion mixed with lime juice and seasoned with chopped fresh ginger (or ground ginger)

Pork chops with peach slices sautéed briefly in a skillet and seasoned with cinnamon (Apples, pears, plums or other fruit can also be prepared in this way.) 

As dessert

Quick parfaits (layers of yogurt, fruit chunks and granola)

Frozen fruit puréed to make a granita flavoured with fresh herbs (good combinations: strawberry and mint, mango and basil, pineapple and coriander)

QUICK TIP If you want to eat fruit, you need to buy it! Fruits and vegetables should fill one third of your grocery cart. Surprised? The new Canada's Food Guide recommends eating at least 7 or 8 servings every day.

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