Carambola - Star Fruit

Carambola (Star Fruit) is such a pretty and unique fruit, it will dress up your salad and impress your guests.

Carambola Bread | Frozen sweet Carambola (star fruit) pickles | Cinnamon fruit compote | Spinach Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing | Honey Mustard Dressing 

CARAMBOLA BREAD  

What you'll need: 

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups chopped fine carambola
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt

Method:

1. Beat eggs until light and foamy.
2. Add sugar, oil, carambola, and vanilla. Mix lightly, beat well by hand
3. Combine dry ingredients, sifted together, to first mixture and blend well.
4. Stir in nuts and pour into 2 greased and floured 9 x 9 x 3 inch pans.
5. Bake at 180 for 15 minutes; lower heat to 160, and continue baking for 45 more minutes.
6. Do finger test to tell if done. Makes 2 loaves

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FROZEN SWEET CARAMBOLA (STARFRUIT)
PICKLES 

What you'll need:

• 500g Carambolas (Starfruit) (green or semi-ripe)
• 250g small yellow onions
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp water
• 3/4 cup sugar

Method:

1. Trim brown edges from starfruit and slice crosswise with a knife, discard seeds.
2. Thinly slice onions.
3. Mix prepared carambola with onion, salt and water in a 2lt non-aluminum bowl and let stand 2 hours.  Drain, but do not rinse.
4. Return the solids to the bowl, add sugar and vinegar and let stand; stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved completely and liquid covers the solids.
5. Pack in freezer containers, leaving 3/4 to 1 inch head space; seal tightly, label and freezer at least 24 hours before defrosting for serving. Makes about 2 cups

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CINNAMON FRUIT COMPOTE

What you'll need:  

• 1 1/2 cups grape juice
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 inch stick cinnamon
• 4 whole nutmegs
• 1 tsp finely shredded orange peel
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
• 3 medium nectarines, pitted and sliced
• 2 cups seedless green grapes
• 1 (16 oz.) can mandarin orange sections, drained
• 3 carambola (star fruit), sliced

Method:

1. In a small saucepan combine grape juice, sugar, stick cinnamon, whole nutmegs,
   and orange peel.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
3. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes.
4. Remove cinnamon and nutmeg. Meanwhile, in a large bowl layer half of the strawberries,
   all of the nectarines, the grapes, the oranges, then the remaining strawberries, and lastly the carambola.
5. Cover and chill.
6. For transporting, place grape juice mixture in a covered plastic container.

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SPINACH SALAD WITH HONEY MUSTARD
DRESSING 

What you'll need: 

• 2 cups spinach, torn into bite-size pieces
• 2 Red Delicious apples, cored and chopped
• 1 cup seedless red grapes
• 1 carambola, thinly sliced crosswise (star fruit)
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Method:

1. In medium bowl combine spinach, apples, grapes, and carambola.
2. Toss with Honey Mustard dressing.
3. Sprinkle with peanuts.

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HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING:

What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon-style mustard
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp coriander

Method:

1. In small bowl combine all dressing ingredients; stir until well blended.
   Serve with Spinach Salad. Makes about 3/4 cup.
2. To serve, pour juice mixture over fruit layers. (If outside, place bowl on ice until needed.) Makes about 15 servings.
3. For 30 servings: Double all of the ingredients and use two large bowls.

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