Spiced Christmas Fruit Salad

As the year draws to an end, I am so grateful to those of you who have supported me and followed my progress with Shades of Cinnamon.  Six months into my blogging, and I have just scratched the surface of the thousands of delicious recipes still to be created, made, tested and eaten. I am loving the opportunity of improving my photographic skills at the same time, and hopefully next year Shades of Cinnamon will be bigger, brighter and overflowing with food made with love for you.
May you all have a blessed Christmas and safe holiday season, and I hope you will join me in 2013 in a delicious journey of cooking and eating good food with family and friends.
For those of you who cannot face the thought of another creamy rich pudding at Christmas time, how about making this spiced fruit salad, filled with Christmas flavours. This recipe is rich in vitamins and low in fat,  and delicious at the same time, so you wont feel like you are missing out on any of the good stuff.  Its best made the day before so that the flavours can infuse, which leaves you  lots of time to cook your turkey on Christmas Day. Enjoy !


Spiced Fruit Salad
Juice and finely grated zest of 2 limes
100g (4oz)caster sugar
25g (1oz)fresh ginger, finely grated
1/4 tsp ground allspice
4 star anise
fruit of your choice, and in season To Make the Syrup:
1. Put lime juice, 1 star anise, ginger, allspice, sugar  and 200ml (7fl oz) water in a
    saucepan and  heat gently until all the sugar has dissolved .
2. Allow to cool.
The Fruit:
1. Cut the fruit into wedges, discarding any central white cores.
2. Mix all the fruit in a large bowl , strain the syrup over the fruit and top with
   remaining star anise.  Chill until needed and sprinkle with the lime zest.
3. This recipe is better if made the day before, allowing the flavours of the spices
   to soak into the fruit.