Exotic flavors: Cooking with dragon fruit
What's the story
Dragon fruit, or pitaya as it's also called, is a stunning and exotic fruit originating from the cactus species native to the Americas, but is now grown globally.
In this article, we explore five unexpected and delicious ways to incorporate dragon fruit into your culinary creations, adding a touch of its subtly sweet flavor and a healthy dose of nutrients to any dish.
Smoothie bowls
Dragon fruit smoothie bowls
Kickstart your morning with a healthy and Instagram-worthy dragon fruit smoothie bowl.
Simply blend dragon fruit pulp with a banana and a splash of coconut milk until smooth.
Pour the vibrant mixture into a bowl and get creative with toppings - think sliced fruits, crunchy nuts, and nutritious seeds.
This power-packed breakfast not only fuels your day but also floods your body with vitamins and antioxidants.
Salsa
Tropical dragon fruit salsa
Add a dash of the exotic to your snacks by whipping up a vibrant tropical dragon fruit salsa.
Simply mix diced dragon fruit with chopped mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeno for a little heat.
Enjoy this salsa with tortilla chips or as a delicious topping for grilled fish or chicken. It's a refreshing combination of sweet and spicy!
Salad dressing
Dragon fruit salad dressing
Take your salads to the next level with a homemade dragon fruit salad dressing.
Simply puree the flesh of one dragon fruit along with olive oil, vinegar, honey (or agave syrup for a vegan option), salt, and pepper to taste.
You'll be left with a vibrant pink dressing that not only adds a refreshing fruity twist to your greens but also packs a nutritional punch with vitamin C.
Baking
Baked goods with dragon fruit puree
Use dragon fruit puree as a secret ingredient in your cakes or muffins.
Simply replace some of the liquid ingredients in your recipe with dragon fruit puree.
This will add moisture and a hint of natural sweetness.
The result? Super moist treats with a beautiful pink hue - no artificial dyes needed!
Ice cream
Refreshing Dragon fruit ice cream
Turn homemade ice cream into a tropical treat with dragon fruit!
Just blend frozen dragon fruit pulp with condensed milk (or coconut cream for a dairy-free option) until smooth, then freeze until set.
You'll get creamy ice cream with a not-too-sweet but oh-so-refreshing flavor - the perfect way to beat the heat.