Ruthie's Fruity Chicks
Fun and easy dish that children can make (even little ones can assemble them if you do the slicing). I found these in a 2012 issue of Parenting Magazine, and my daughter made them for Easter that year. We instantly dubbed them a family tradition!
Fun and easy dish that children can make (even little ones can assemble them if you do the slicing). I found these in a 2012 issue of Parenting Magazine, and my daughter made them for Easter that year. We instantly dubbed them a family tradition!
- Carbohydrate 9.6912 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.1074 g
- Fiber 1.26200002670288 g
- Protein 0.555 g
- Saturated Fat 0.00418 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (26g)
- Sodium 1.52 mg
- Sugar 8.42919997329712 g
- Trans Fat 0.05874 g
- Calories 38 calories
Step-by-step
- Slice apple horizontally into 4 slices and remove core. (Peel it first if you wish.)
- Place slices on plates and top each slice with crushed pineapple to resemble feathers.
- Add blueberries for eyes.
- Cut dried apricots to resemble feet, and cut apricot triangles for beaks.
- Cut strawberries for comb.
Unlike a standard fruit salad that tosses all components together in a bowl, this presentation keeps individual fruits distinct to form specific shapes. Working with fresh produce requires careful attention to oxidation, particularly when slicing apples. To prevent the apple slices from turning brown during assembly, submerge them in a bowl of cold water mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice for up to 10 minutes, then pat them completely dry with paper towels before plating. Drainage is another critical mechanical step for the crushed pineapple. Press the canned pineapple through a fine-mesh strainer for at least 3 minutes, or squeeze the fruit in a clean cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. Retaining too much liquid will cause the pineapple feathers to slide off the apple base.
Adapting for Dietary Needs
While the base recipe is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, substitutions require careful texture matching. Dried apricots serve as pliable feet and beaks, but alternative chewy dried fruits such as mango strips or papaya chunks can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio if needed. When replacing strawberries for the head comb, ensure the substitute possesses a firm enough structure to stand upright on the apple crown without slumping. Harder stone fruits or berries work well if sliced uniformly.Workflow and Kitchen Timing
Total preparation takes approximately 15 minutes when tools are properly organized before starting. Keep a sharp paring knife and a small melon baller or apple corer ready on the cutting board to speed up the core removal process. Assemble the components immediately before serving to maintain crisp textures across the apple base and delicate berries.
