Fruit recipe collection

When I was little my mom and dad had lots of parties especially at the holidays. With upwards of 70 people the easiest thing to serve was punch. This is Mom's concoction. The guys love it too. See Dreamsicle Punch too.

Chilled melon soup with cantaloupe, honeydew, champagne, and a drizzle of honey, served in iced bowls with whipped cream and mint. A no-cook summer starter that feels like a celebration.

Three-ingredient cold papaya soup with fresh lime and a garnish of papaya seeds. A Caribbean-inspired no-cook fruit soup that's ready in 10 minutes flat.

Velvety cold peaches and cream soup with amaretto and a whisper of nutmeg. A brilliant way to use overripe peaches, and just as good made with canned peaches in winter.

Cold pumpkin souffle is a no-bake gelatin-set dessert with whipped cream, eggs, pumpkin, rum, and warm spices. A make-ahead alternative to pumpkin pie that stands tall above its dish with a foil collar.

Chilled strawberry soup blended with pineapple juice, Burgundy wine, and sour cream, topped with whipped cream and mint. A gorgeous no-cook fruit soup for summer entertaining.

Hearty colonial brown bread made with three flours, dark molasses, warm spices, and plump raisins. A rustic no-yeast quick bread your whole family will love.

Colombian banana cake made with yellow cake mix, Coca-Cola, ripe bananas, and chopped nuts. A quirky semi-homemade recipe that bakes up moist and irresistible.

Sweet potato casserole with a crunchy pecan-coconut-brown sugar topping baked until golden. The holiday side dish everyone fights over at Thanksgiving.

German-style applesauce crepes with a thin egg batter, filled with warm applesauce and dusted with cinnamon-sugar for a comforting breakfast or dessert in under an hour.

No-bake strawberry-kiwi pie with Jello, whipped topping, and a graham cracker crust. Light, fruity, and ready after a few hours in the fridge. A tropical twist on a classic cool pie.

Fresh pineapple, mango, papaya, and strawberries layered with honey-sweetened vanilla yogurt and served in hollowed pineapple shells. A gorgeous low-fat tropical fruit salad.

Roasted Cornish hen halves perched on sage-scented wild rice mounds, glazed with apple juice concentrate and served with roasted apple slices. An elegant dinner for four.

Fluffy couscous tossed with sweet corn, dried cranberries, butter, and a hint of cinnamon in chicken broth. A colorful 20-minute side dish that pairs with just about anything.

Retro lime and lemon jello ring folded with cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, and walnuts, with a horseradish kick. A creamy molded salad unmolded and piled high with fresh strawberries.

Tender lamb shoulder braised with paprika, tarragon, and garlic, then finished with tangy yogurt and sweet apple chunks. A hearty Ukrainian Cossack-style stew that serves 6.