Tropical Fruit and Yogurt Salad

Name: Tropical Fruit and Yogurt Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups vanilla yogurt; 4 large firm bananas, sliced; 2 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin oranges, drained; 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained; 1 cup miniature marshmallows; 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

In Huntsville, Alabama, Ashley Braswell dresses up her fruit salad with yogurt cheese—the solids remaining after the whey has been drained from yogurt.

Ingredients

2 cups vanilla yogurt
4 large firm bananas, sliced
2 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Directions

Line a strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Place yogurt in prepared strainer; cover yogurt with edges of cheesecloth. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove yogurt from cheesecloth and discard liquid from bowl. In a large bowl, combine the bananas, oranges, pineapple, marshmallows and coconut. Add yogurt; stir gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 192 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 44mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fruit, 1/2 reduced-fat milk.

Originally published as Festive Fruit Salad in Light & Tasty February/March 2005