Want an easy way to add punch to an otherwise humdrum fruit salad? Simply turn up the heat.

In this case, we tossed pineapple rings on the grill for four to five minutes per side. The intense heat of the flames caramelizes the natural sugars of the pineapple and adds a smoky char. Once the pineapple rings come off the grill and cool a bit, they can be chopped and tossed with all the usual fruit salad suspects.

Want to take it even further? Thickly sliced peaches and nectarines also could be grilled and added to this salad.

For additional nongrilled items, consider tossing in some blueberries and grapes. We like the peppery bite of torn fresh basil, but mint also would be good.

GRILLED PINEAPPLE FRUIT SALAD

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Yield: 6 servings

1 pineapple 1 quart strawberries, hulled and halved (or quartered for larger berries) 4 kiwi, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces 2 mangoes, peeled and cubed 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves Kosher salt

Procedure:

Heat the grill to medium-high.

Lay the pineapple on its side and slice off the top and bottom. Stand it up, then slice off the peel on the sides one strip at a time. Return the pineapple to its side and cut the pineapple into 1/2-inch slices. Grill each slice for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until lightly charred. Set aside to cool until easily handled.

Once the pineapple is cool, cut it into bite-sized pieces, trimming around and discarding the core. In a large bowl, combine the pineapple chunks, strawberries, kiwi, mangoes, basil and a pinch of salt. Stir very gently. Chill for 20 minutes to allow the juices to meld. Stir very gently before serving.

Nutrition information per serving: 210 calories; 10 calories from fat (5 percent of total calories); 1 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 45 mg sodium; 51 g carbohydrate; 7 g fiber; 40 g sugar; 3 g protein.