Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They can be eaten raw as well as added to food recipes. Try out these child-friendly fruity treats: writes Khushboo Nehaal Jashnani

Summer fruit pudding
(4 servings)

Ingredients
• 5 bread slices (dry bread is good)
• 1 tbsp cooked rice
• 3 prunes
• 8 strawberries
• 1 banana
• 2 apples
• 2 tsp green raisins
• 2 tsp black raisins
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 drops vanilla essence
• 1 cup fresh cream

Preparation guide
• Boil ½ cup sugar with ¼ cup water. Cook until sugar dissolves fully and syrup thickens a little.
• Add all fruits except strawberries. Stir well, and cook for 3 minutes over low heat.
• Cut bread into triangles and dip in the juice.
• Take a medium-sized bowl and layer it with bread slices.
• Fill the centre with fruits.
• Beat fresh cream, vanilla essence and remaining sugar in a separate bowl. Add cooked rice and mix well. Top pudding with this mix. Garnish with strawberries.
• Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Health benefits. Fresh cream is rich in calcium and strengthens bones while fruits provide antioxidants, iron, vitamin C and fibre. This wholesome dessert provides an ideal mix of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, boosting immunity and aiding digestion.

Pineapple chaat
(3 servings)

Ingredients
• 1 pineapple
• 1 cup puffed rice
• ¼ cup peanuts
• 1 onion
• 1 sprig coriander leaves
• 3 pieces papdi
• ½ lime
• ½ pomegranate
• ½ tsp tamarind water
• 1 tsp tomato sauce
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• ½ cup sev

Preparation guide
• Peel and chop pineapple into small pieces.
• Peel pomegranate and separate the seeds.
• Chop onion and coriander leaves finely.
• Roast peanuts. Set aside.
• Mix all ingredients except sev in a large bowl.
• Squeeze lime over it and mix. Garnish with sev and serve.

Health benefits. Pineapple is rich in vitamin C, vitamin, K, zinc, calcium and phosphorus, and reduces inflammation and promotes healing of tissues. Pomegranate improves heart and kidney health. The nuts provide essential protein and good fats while the puffed rice comprises energy-giving carbohydrates.

Kerala banana dessert
(3 servings)

Ingredients
• 3 large nendran bananas
• 1 coconut
• ½ cup jaggery
• 1 cardamom

Preparation guide
• Peel bananas and slice. Place in a baking tray.
• Grate coconut. Set aside.
• Remove cardamom seeds and use a pestle to make it into fine powder.
• Cut jaggery so that you have fine shavings.
• Mix cardamom powder and jaggery.
• Sprinkle grated coconut over bananas followed by jaggery.
• Preheat oven to 200°C.
• Bake for 7 minutes.
• Cool and serve.

Health benefits. Coconut is rich in copper and iron, and good for red blood cells. Also, antioxidants to maintain blood sugar levels. Bananas improve gut, kidney and heart health and have high fibre content which prevents constipation.

Also read: Good sleep, exercise, fruits and veggies lead to well-being