Fruit Bouquet

Edible fruit arrangements have become a popular business and, in my experience, are a lovely delivery to receive. Why not pass along that happiness and fresh fruit to someone you know. My intentions were for this bouquet to be Valentine's themed-- heart shaped everything!! Red strawberries, red watermelon, heart shaped melons, and more...but that didn't quite come together as planned. Instead, the container celebrates Valentine's Day and the fruit bouquet is a pretty decoration on top. I made this bouquet for my son's class at school. The task was to take muffins and fruit for a small celebration at snack time. I am hoping three-year-olds get a kick out of these fruit kebobs in a flower-like arrangement. In other circumstances I would have dipped most of the strawberries in chocolate first, but I didn't think the preschool teachers would appreciate all the kids having an extra boost of sugar!

The pictures speak for themselves with a few details added in by captions. Enjoy this fun way to add more fruit to your day!

Start with any container that has a sturdy and level base. You don't want the weight of the fruit to tip it over later on.

I used a styrofoam cone from the floral department and cut off the top so it fit within the container. I "recycled" this container from an arrangement I received a few years ago. It's perfect for Valentine's Day!

Use any combination of fruit that you like. I started with grapes.

I started to cut the melon in heart shapes but failed. Use cookie cutters if you would like to try particular shapes; otherwise use a melon baller.

The red strawberries will have to carry the Valentine's theme. These would be delicious dipped in chocolate.

I used romaine lettuce today as the filler. Parsley also works nicely.

Fit the lettuce into the sides of the container such that you hide the styrofoam. This greenery also helps to finish off the "flower arrangment" look.

Start filling...

Keep on filling...

And then all of the sudden you are done! Enjoy your beautiful and healthy arrangement!

I linked up to http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/02/08/hookin-up-with-hoh-86/

and to http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/02/13/made-by-you-monday-86/