Fruit Bouquet

Chef Dee's Note:

I created this decorative fruit centerpiece for our holiday appetizer buffet.It was very easy, and I made it the night before. With more time, you can make it even nicer ! I served it with White Chocolate Fruit Dip # 137738

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 cantaloupe, peeled
• 1 melon, peeled
• 15 strawberries, hulled
• 10 pineapple chunks, fresh and drained
• 40 purple seedless grapes
• 40 green seedless grapes
• 1 cup dipping chocolate
• bamboo skewer

Directions:

1. You will also need a plant pot, round florists styrofoam ball to fit into the pot and garland. The recipe format would not allow me to put these in the ingredients needed.
2. Cut the styrofoam so it fits into the plant pot, the top of the styro should be just even with the top of the plant pot.
3. Wrap the garland around the pot, then cover the styro foam top with it.
4. On med. low heat, melt the dipping chocolate in the microwave, stirring every min, being very careful that water or moisture does not get into the chocolate.
5. When smooth, dip the top 1/3 of the strawberries into the melted chocolate, then place on skewers.
6. Poke all the strawberry skewers into the styro, as this will store them upright until the chocolate is set.
7. With a serrated knife, or a ridged hors d'ouvres tool, slice the melons into 1" wide by 3" long pieces.
8. Insert the melon pieces onto the skewers, lengthwise,set aside.
9. Place the pineapple chunks onto the skewers, set aside.
10. Place the grapes onto the skewers long-wise; purple, then green, then purple, ending with another green.
11. Remove the choc. dipped strawberry skewers from the plant pot, set aside.
12. Start poking the fruited skewers into the styro filled pot.
13. Fill the center first, then work towards the outside.
14. I served this with White Chocolate Fruit Dip #137738.
15. Note: I made this the night before our party,and of course it wouldn't fit in the fridge.
16. I wrapped it loosely with saran wrap, placed it in a box not much larger than the plant pot, then set it in my car in a cool garage, it was still nice and fresh teh next day !
17. BE CAREFUL when you move it, as it is top heavy !

Reviews

[um-um-good]

I made a bouquet for a going away party-it turned out great! Lots of compliments. We used: blueberries, blackberries, red & green grapes, pineapple, strawberries & oranges. I liked how a person could come, pick up a skewer & walk away. no need for plates or napkins. I think a lot more fruit was eaten because of the convenience. I had a few friends grab a few skewers before leaving & could be seen walking down the street eating their fruit. I'll be making this again & again! I used a little heart- shaped cookie cutter for the cutouts (didn't have a flower cutter).

[jillcomeau]

Made this for a big bridal shower and it got rave reviews. A centerpiece and a dessert all in one.

[Dreamer in Ontario]

I just had to give this recipe a try. I used a pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, raspberries and strawberries. I wrapped the florists styrofoam in plastic wrap and placed it in a clear glass bowl. It was made for Mother's Day and everyone loved it. Thanks for this wonderful recipe.