Sometimes the day calls for thinking creatively, especially if you remembered lastminute about an invitation to a social event where you were asked to bring a side dish. Saving the day was my Pineapple Edamame Salad with Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter Drizzle was invented with literally what I had on hand. It’s definitely a creative fruit salad!
Sure, I could have stopped by the store and grabbed a bag of chips and salsa to present the hostess but, as a healthy food blogger, that usually doesn’t faire to well and sounds something like this “Oh, I was expecting you to bring one of your homemade fit and fabulous creations . . .. but this looks . .err, good,” said with manufactured enthusiasm. So, read on to get this super easy, four ingredient fruit salad recipe you can make in five minutes:
First, let me say . . . I was lucky enough to have a fresh pineapple in the house from my last grocery haul. Honestly, I had been to lazy to cut it up and that’s why it was still sitting around. Pro tip on shopping for a pineapple – worry less about the color of the exterior (green vs yellow) and instead look for one with fresh dark green leaves (NOT dried and shriveled). Not in the mood to chop pineapple, the use pre-prepped fresh pineapple from the produce department. 
If you’re in a mega-hurry, simply buy pineapple prepped from the product department!
Making the Pineapple Edamame Salad is ridiculously easy. Simply toss thawed frozen shelled edamame together with pineapple chunks and unsweetened flaked coconut. Next, a drizzle of Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter from Now Food’s “Nutty Infusions” line of nut butters – it has just the right spicy-sweet intensity that you will crave on veggie sticks and in recipes! If for some reason you can’t get your hands on this unique nut butter, then I noted a swap in the recipe instructions. 
As for the pineapple bowl – it’s completely unnecessary. Since I was bringing this pineapple salad to a party, I think I was overcompensating for the easiness by trying to be all Martha Steward. However, if you WANT to make the bowl, it’s pretty straightforward – lop off the bottom 1/3 of your pineapple and use a sharp knife to cut around the perimeter in about 1/3” inch thickness. Next, cut the interior into 4 wedges and use a fork to pull each out (you’ll need to clean up the bottom inside of the bowl with a small pairing knife or grapefruit spoon.
In addition to the Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter, I’ve had the chance to try out a bunch of new natural living products from Now Foods, from collagen powder and MCT oil to probiotics and a vitamin C sourced from the potent Acerola. One of my other favorite products was the Beet Root Powder, it’s a great way to add the important nutrients of beets to your life, especially if you’re not a beet lover – try a scoop in smoothies, in a beverage, in oats, or even baked into muffins and pancakes! You know, beets and beet root powder are both said to be great for runners as they naturally originate the blood and give your workout a boost! Look for me to share some beet root powder recipes soon!
What is the most unique nut butter you’ve tried? What is your favorite ingredient for a creative fruit salad? Please share in the comments — XOXO, Jennifer
Note: I received products from NowFoods.com in exchange for my participation in an Instagram Challenge, however all thoughts, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own. Also, post may contain affiliate links.
A quick, easy and delicious fruit salad for potlucks, picnics or easy weeknight meals -- you'll love the spicy-sweet, tropical-Asian vibe!
- 3 cups chopped (bite-sized) fresh pineapple
- 1 cup frozen, shelled edamame beans thawed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter (Now Foods) *see notes for ingredient swap
-
Toss pineapple chunks edamame beans, and coconut together.
-
Drizzle with nut butter. If nut butter too thick, warm in microwave for 10 seconds and/or stir in 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
* if you cannot find Ginger Wasabi Cashew Butter from NowFoods.com, substitute 1/2 cup nut butter of choice mixed with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, and 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder.
So simple and easy yet so much flavor! Loving this flavor combination with the juicy pineapple and the creamy nut butter!
This is such a great idea for a salad and you’d never guess you threw it together last minute. Definitely need to hunt down this ginger butter.
This is so delicious! I love the presentation in the pineapple.
Such fun textures and flavors! Plus all that fiber and color! What a creative and yummy recipe!
awesome salad for the summer! So refreshing, too!