KJL's TV Dinners: Gilligan's Island Tropical Cheesecake Fruit Salad

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip that started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship..." 

You can probably hum the tune of this song on your own. One of the more recognizable theme songs in television history, Gilligan's Island never failed to bring laughter and cheer to children and their families during the 1960s. Airing from 1964 to 1967, the sitcom told the story of seven people who were stranded on a desert island. The episodes focused on their failed attempts at escaping the island. 

The sitcom had a very unique, diverse group of characters: the happy-go-lucky Skipper, Jonas Grumby (Alan Hale, Jr.); a snobby, well-to-do millionaire, Thurston Howell III (Jim Backus), and his wife, Lovey (Natalie Schafer); an attractive movie star, Ginger (Tina Louise); a high-school science teacher, called the Professor, Roy Hinkley (Russell Johnson); a nice country girl, Mary Ann (Dawn Wells); and, of course, the wacky but well-meaning Gilligan (Bob Denver). 

Gilligan's Island (photo/Hollywood Reporter)

Gilligan's Island is a fun show to watch, and it brings back wonderful childhood memories for many viewers. It makes you want to visit a tropical island--as long as you're not marooned there. But you want coconuts and tropical fruit. 

Luckily, you don't have to travel to a tropical island to indulge in these summer cravings. Instead, you can make a delicious fruit salad right at home. For this month's edition of "KJL's TV Dinners," I'm featuring a tropical cheesecake fruit salad. If you're ever marooned on a tropical island, you'll at least know how to make a satisfying dessert. 

Tropical Cheesecake Fruit Salad 

Tropical cheesecake fruit salad.

This fruit salad is so easy to prepare because it combines fresh tropical fruit with a rich, creamy cheesecake filling. It doesn't require too many ingredients. The fruit is the star of the dessert, so as long as you have the fruit, you're good to go. Every bite is bursting with tropical flavor and it satisfies all of your cravings this summer season. If you're looking for a refreshing dessert on a hot day, this is the perfect dessert for you. 

To prepare this dessert, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
• 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding, unprepared
• 1 c. International Delight French Vanilla Creamer (a liquid form)
• 1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 4 mandarin oranges, peeled and sliced
• 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained
• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• 1 mango, cut into bite-size chunks 
• 3 bananas, sliced into bite-size chunks
• Juice of 1/2 lemon 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese (using an electric mixer) until it becomes smooth. Add the instant cheesecake pudding mix and beat until well combined. 

With the mixer on low speed, add the creamer to the cream cheese mixture. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the creamer at a time to prevent the mixture from getting too clumpy. Keep adding the creamer until it is combined with the cream cheese. Whip until it's smooth. 

In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, oranges, pineapple chunks, kiwis, and mango chunks. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the fruit and gently fold the mixture into the fruit. 

In a separate bowl, combine the banana chunks with the lemon juice. Toss until well coated and drain the excess lemon juice. Gently fold the banana chunks into the cheesecake salad. Toss to combine. Chill the salad for about 3-4 hours or until you're ready to serve. Enjoy! You know Gilligan and his friends would enjoy it. 

-KJL-