Fruit Salad with Vanilla Coconut Yogurt Dip

 

A fresh combination for summer that makes the already delicious and sweet fruit into something special.  Pair a platter of fruit, or even a small lunch for one using this homemade concoction with your favorite fruits and you have a healthy winner!  Star fruit makes it extra festive this time of year for our patriotic holidays.

Vanilla Coconut Yogurt Dip for Fruit Salad

Combination of favorite fruits (pineapple, strawberries, cherries, cantelope, watermelon, banana, grapes, kiwi, peaches, etc...whatever you find in season.  If you use apples, starfruit or pears be sure to mix with 1/2 juiced orange to keep from coloring.  Adding a sprinkle of sugar to the starfruit as well helps bring out some flavor.  Same with out of season strawberries.)

1 large or 2 small vanilla beans
1 6oz jar coconut flavored yogurt (Liberte brand preferred)
1 small container plain Greek yogurt (Chobani 5.3 oz container preferred)
juice from 1/2 orange (optional)


1.  Cut up fruit into bite sized pieces

2.  Carefully slice, top to bottom, a slit into vanilla bean(s).  Using a small knife, carefully scrape out the seeds from inside the bean pod.  Discard the pod and put the scrapings in a small bowl.

3.  Combine the two yogurts with the vanilla scrapings.

4.  Add orange juice if using.Serve chilled

** If you are not able to find a coconut flavored yogurt, you can omit and substitute a vanilla flavored yogurt or use a plain flavored Yoplait type yogurt along with the Greek plain yogurt and add a dash of coconut extract.