Tropical fruit plate with lime.

A fruit plate is a simple way to end a meal or fill a hot afternoon. This one uses fruit found in Thai markets all year: papaya, dragon fruit, guava and small hom bananas. A little lime juice and a pinch of salt bring out the sweetness. The lime also slows the browning of the banana.

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe papaya (about 300 g)
• 1 dragon fruit
• 1 guava
• 2 hom bananas
• 1 lime
• 1 pinch fine salt (optional)

Method

1. Cut the papaya in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Peel and cut the flesh into long wedges.
2. Cut the dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon, or peel it, then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
3. Wash the guava and cut it into wedges. The skin is edible. Remove the seeds if you prefer.
4. Peel the bananas and slice them on a slant.
5. Cut the lime in half. Squeeze half over the banana and the guava.
6. Arrange everything on a platter, cut the other half of the lime into wedges and put them at the side. Serve with a pinch of salt for dipping, if you like.

Tips

• Chill the fruit for 30 minutes before serving if the weather is hot.
• Slice the banana last, so it stays pale.
• Pick a papaya that is mostly orange and slightly soft at the stem end. Green papaya is for savoury dishes.