Star-Studded Fruit Basket

 

Preparation time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

For the dressing:

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1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup whipped cream
1 teaspoon poppy seed
1/4 teaspoon ginger

For the basket:

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Large watermelon
Assorted fresh fruits

In a small bowl, stir together honey and orange juice concentrate. Stir all remaining dressing ingredients into the honey-orange mixture. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour.

To make the watermelon basket:

Measure and mark a horizontal line around the center of the melon, running lengthwise.

Measure and mark a 2-inch-wide center strip crosswise over the top of the melon for the handle.

Place 1 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter or cardboard pattern on marked horizontal line; trace around with pencil. Repeat, with star tips touching, all around middle of melon.

Next, place star shape in center of 2-inch handle strip; trace around with pencil. Repeat, with star tips touching, over handle.

For the basket, with a small sharp knife cut out stars, leaving bottom points attached to watermelon. Remove rind and melon.

Cut out stars on handle, leaving bottom and top tips attached to one another. Carefully cut pink melon from handle, leaving white rind on handle.

Remove remaining watermelon from basket with melon baller or spoon.

Fill basket with assorted fresh fruit pieces. Serve dressing with fresh fruit. Makes 1 basket and 1 cup dressing.

Tip: Melon basket can be prepared one day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Just before serving, fill with assorted fresh fruit pieces.

Nutrition facts per 1-tablespoon dressing: 50 calories, 0 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat, 10 milligrams cholesterol, 5 milligrams sodium.

- Recipe from Land O' Lakes

Copyright 1997, The Associated Press