Good Eats: Layered Fruit Flag Salad

This special Thursday edition of Good Eats brings you a patriotic-themed recipe in time for the Fourth of July holiday. I, myself, will be using the following recipe to make a red, white, and blue fruit salad for a family gathering this weekend. I have made this salad before, but don't recall putting marshmallows in the mix; I must have omitted them from the recipe (I'm not a big fan of marshmallows in my salads). You can do with the marshmallows what you wish. Enjoy the salad and the holiday weekend!

Recipe for: Layered Fruit Flag Salad
From: Pillsbury Easy Meals

Ingredients:
2 cans (8 oz. each) pineapple tidbits in juice
2 medium bananas, sliced
3 pints (6 cups) fresh strawberries
3 containers (6 oz. each) Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free lemon burst yogurt
1 1/2 cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
4 cups cubed (1/2 to 3/4 inch) cantaloupe, well drained
1 1/2 pints (3 cups) fresh blueberries
2 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions:
1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice in small bowl. Pat pineapple dry with paper towels to remove any excess liquid. Toss banana slices in pineapple liquid; drain well, discarding liquid. Reserve 18 to 20 strawberries for flag stripes; cut remaining strawberries into quarters.
2. In medium bowl, mix yogurt, whipped topping and powdered sugar until well blended and smooth.
3. In ungreased 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish, layer cantaloupe and quartered strawberries. Reserve 50 blueberries for flag stars. Layer remaining blueberries over strawberries. Top with bananas, pineapple, and marshmallows. With pancake turner, press fruit lightly to even out top. Spread yogurt mixture evenly over fruit. If desired, at this point, salad can be covered and refrigerated up to 4 hours.
4. If serving salad immediately, add topping; if salad is refrigerated, add topping up to 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle reserved blueberries in corner to resmble stars of flag. Cut reserved strawberries into quarters. Arrange strawberries in rows to resemble stripes of flag.