Fresh Fruit Platter With Coconut Whipped Cream Recipes

FRESH FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• I like to begin the platter with a base of ripe, colorful, sliced melons and pineapple--for example, cantaloupe, honeydew, Galia, or Cavaillon melons, plus the new "golden" pineapples. Peel the outside of a whole melon, cut it in half through the stem end, and scoop out the seeds. Place the melon halves cut side down on a board, and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan each half-melon out slightly and arrange it on the platter. Next, cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, peel the outside, and use a sharp knife to remove the "eyes." Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise and remove the core by cutting a "V" down the center of each half. Again, place the pineapple halves, cut side down, on a board and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan the slices out and arrange them next to the melon on the platter.
• Once the base is set, you can add any kind of fruit that's available. I like to have one thing that is taller than the rest, such as a large bunch of grapes or a decoratively cut papaya, to give the platter height. Then I add raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and fresh figs in casual but organized groups. The platter can look like a bowl of M&M's if there are too many colors scattered with no order. Visually, your eye needs to have a focal point and to be able to see each type of fruit. After all the fruit is arranged, I add flat green leaves around the outside of the fruit, to set off the colors. Use lemon and galax leaves from your florist, or fig leaves and grape leaves from your garden. Make sure they are pesticide-free and well washed.
• Any kind of fruit will work well on this platter. For special occasions, add persimmons, kiwi, passion fruit, Queen Anne cherries, fresh apricots, and mangos. Choose whatever is colorful and seasonal.

CREAM CAKE WITH FRESH FRUIT

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt to combine.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs and granulated sugar on low speed to thoroughly combine, about 1 minute. Raise the speed and whip until the mixture becomes pale and thick, 5 to 6 minutes. With the mixer running on low speed, add the cream in a slow, steady stream and mix to thoroughly combine. Add the vanilla and mix to combine.
• Add the flour mixture in 2 to 3 additions, mixing well to fully and smoothly combine. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer, then sprinkle generously with turbinado or sanding sugar.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs), 65 to 75 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool the cake completely in the pan.
• For the fruit: Combine the fruit and granulated sugar in a medium bowl and toss well to combine. Macerate at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving.
• To unmold the cooled cake, run a small offset spatula around the outside edge, then release the outer ring of the pan. Slide an offset spatula under the cake all the way around and gently transfer to a serving platter. Serve slices of cake with a spoonful or two of fruit and their juices.

FRUIT PLATTER WITH WHIPPED RICOTTA

Steps:

• Poached Peaches: Combine peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until fruit is just tender, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on ripeness. Transfer peaches to a heatproof container with a slotted spoon; strain syrup over top. Let cool completely. Peaches in syrup can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 week. (Makes about 2 cups.)
• Whipped Ricotta: Puree ricotta, vanilla, and maple syrup in a food processor or blender until creamy. Mixture can be refrigerated, covered, up to 5 days. (Makes 2 cups.)
• Fruit Platter: Arrange all fresh fruits on a platter. Serve with poached peaches, whipped ricotta, and digestive biscuits.