the beauty of fruit

I love fruit…A LOT! Growing up we always had fruit at home, it was the perfect substitute for any sweet cravings I may have had. Pears—love them! Blueberries—love them! Mangos—ADORE THEM! Really, I don’t think there is any fruit I do not like. I can think of multiple ways of eating my fruit: in my yogurt, in my cereal, in my crepes, in my ice cream, in my salad, in my wine, with my meat…yeah, with meat! The possibilities are endless. However, the best way of eating them for me is fresh—there is nothing better than fresh fruit. It is marvelous to admire the multiple colors on the skin of a fresh peach, or listen to the crunch of an apple as you take your first bite, or even enjoy the ceremony of peeling a banana as you gently try to keep it intact. Sincerely, it is all of this that makes eating a fresh fruit such a pleasant experience.

However, when you are seeking to do something different with fruit, Fruit en Papillote is one of the many ways you can get creative. It is a perfect way to combine the flavors that fruit has to offer and embellish it with a hint of spices.  This is really quick and easy to do. 

Fruit en Papillote

Place fruit on a large piece of parchment paper. Add any seasonal fruits to your liking. Sprinkle some sugar over the fruit, add a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, and some lemon zest. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Create a pouch with the parchment paper, closing it over the fruit and flipping the sides under. Bake at 400° F for 20 minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. I served the fruit over some Greek yogurt with honey. Yum, enjoy!