Recipe: Ensalada de Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Salad)

ENSALADA DE NOCHE BUENA (CHRISTMAS EVE SALAD)

FRUIT MIXTURE:
2 medium oranges, pared and sectioned
2 medium bananas, sliced
1 (8 1/4 ounce) can sliced beets, drained (reserve liquid)
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
1/2 jicama, pared and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons sugar, divided use
salt to taste
TO ASSEMBLE SALAD:
3 cups shredded lettuce
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds or sliced radishes
1 tablespoon aniseed

PREPARE FRUIT:
Place oranges, bananas, beets, pineapple and jicama in bowl.

Mix reserved beet liquid, pineapple juice, the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons sugar and the salt; pour over fruit. Let stand 10 minutes.

ASSEMBLE SALAD:
Drain fruit and arrange on shredded lettuce. Garnish with lime, peanuts and pomegranate seeds.

Mix aniseed and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar; sprinkle over salad.

Yields 8 to 10 servings