Adeline Olmer
- Jun 2, 2021
- 2 min read

THE PERFECT DESSERT—WITH NO WORRY

I love fruits and always have.

More often than not fruits are served for dessert in France. It is more common there than it is in the US.

Finishing a meal with a little sweet is the perfect balance to satisfy our taste buds, but in the US sugar has become our sweet of choice and something we overindulge in. I read that we consume between fifty-seven and one hundred fifty-two pounds of sugar a year. That’s a lot. But what makes it worse is that most of the time we are not actively choosing to eat sugar. It comes hidden in processed food along with salt and many other ingredients added to make the food taste good.

Personally, I prefer eating food that is what it is. When I want to add sugar at the end of a meal, I like knowing it is because I’m choosing to add it.

Finishing a meal with a little sweet is something I enjoy and I don't want to feel bad about my decision. Fruits add the sweetness without the hidden processed sugar.

My father would make a simple orange, banana salad that we would serve after a weeknight dinner or for a dinner party. It is one of those simple dishes that when served presents as far fancier than it is. That’s what I love about it.

All you really need for this salad are the oranges and the bananas. The addition of the sugar creates more of a syrup and the Grand Marnier, the orange liquor, adds another level of flavor to enjoy.

ORANGE BANANA FRUIT SALAD

Serves: 4

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

8 navel oranges (Plan on 2 oranges per person.)

2 bananas

½ cup sugar, optional

¼ cup Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur, optional

Directions

Slice the top and bottom of the oranges.
With a sharp knife, slice the skin off the oranges.
Slice the oranges in half and then into quarters. Slice the oranges into thin slices and add to a bowl.
Slice the bananas into thin rings and add them to the bowl.
Stir in ½ cup sugar. The sugar will help the oranges release their juice to create a sauce.
Add the Grand Marnier and stir to combine.
Refrigerate before serving.

This is best served the same day you make it.

Simple, easy, and delicious. The perfect fruit dessert to finish a good meal.