Equipment Needed
- A sharp paring or chef’s knife
- A sturdy cutting board
- A small offset spatula or the back of a spoon (for gentle pressing, if needed)
- Serving plates or a large platter
Step-by-Step Instructions
I always start by prepping all my fruit first—it makes the assembly so peaceful and rhythmic. I slice the bananas into generous coins, trying to keep them even so the stack stands tall. Then, I move on to the strawberries, slicing them vertically to create pretty, heart-shaped pieces. I leave the blueberries whole, giving them a quick rinse and a gentle roll on a paper towel to dry. Having everything ready in little bowls makes me feel like a TV chef, and it honestly prevents the bananas from browning while I fuss with the strawberries.
Now, for the fun part: the build. On my chosen serving plate, I create a wide, stable base with a layer of banana slices, slightly overlapping them in a circle. The size of this circle dictates the final stack’s width, so I make it as big as I want the finished dish to be. Next, I artfully arrange a layer of strawberry slices, letting some of the red peek out from the edges. Then, I scatter a handful of plump blueberries evenly over the strawberries. This order—banana, strawberry, blueberry—has become my gospel after much testing.
I repeat the layers once, sometimes twice more, depending on how tall and impressive I want the stack to be. I gently press down with my fingers or the back of a spoon after adding the blueberries to settle everything and create a flat surface for the next banana layer. This gentle pressure is crucial; it helps the stack hold together without squishing the fruit. I remember my first attempt toppled over because I was too timid with the pressing—a delicious but messy lesson learned!
For the grand finale, I crown the top of the stack with my most perfect strawberry fan or a final sprinkle of blueberries. I sometimes add a single, perfect blueberry right on top for a classic finish. Then, I take a step back and admire the colorful stripes of yellow, red, and deep purple. It’s a moment of pure culinary joy. The whole process, from first slice to final presentation, takes less than ten minutes, but the result looks like I spent an hour crafting it.(See the next page below to continue…)