Tropical Fruit in Spiced Syrup

1. Combine water, honey, cloves, cinnamon stick and cardamom in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly reduced and syrupy, about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Pour the syrup through a fine sieve into a bowl. Discard the spices. Add mango, kiwi, pear, lime segments, dried cherries and orange zest.
3. Stir gently to combine. Just before serving, add mint, if desired. Serve the fruit warm, at room temperature or chilled.

Tips

To segment a citrus fruit:

1.Using a sharp knife, cut off the peel and white pith from the lime. To make attractive segments, hold the lime over a bowl (to catch the juice) and slice between each segment and its surrounding membranes.

2. Use a vegetable peeler to easily remove strips of the outer skin (zest), leaving the bitter white pith behind.

Note: Asian pears are shaped more like an apple than a pear, have golden yellow-green skin and retain their crisp texture even when ripe. Look for them in the specialty-fruit section of the supermarket.

To Make Ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Per Serving: 78 calories; 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat, 0 g mono unsaturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 2 mg sodium; 104 mg potassium

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value).

Exchanges: 1 fruit

Contributed by: EatingWell.com

Serve this versatile, Chai-spice-inspired salsa with seafood, grilled chicken, as part of a yogurt parfait, or on its own.