Last night we were reminded of the pure, sweet pleasure of ending a meal simply: just with fruit.

As much as we love an elegant yet homey dessert at the end of a meal - a rustic walnut cake, an apricot tart with crushed almonds, homemade chocolate fudge cookies - plain summer fruit provides just enough sweetness for most weeknight suppers. We were reminded last night to keep the rich desserts for special occasions; this plate of sliced fruit was totally satisfying and perhaps even more elegant than some baked desserts.

We bought a few white-fleshed nectarines, barely tender, and a handful of red plums. We really love red plums; there's a wildness in their slightly bitter skin that gives them a complex flavor.

Both the nectarines and plums were sliced and arranged on our favorite plate in a pinwheel. They were juicy, sweet, and delicious.

Are you serving fruit for dessert right now? If so, what's your favorite summer dessert fruit?

Related: Quick Dessert Recipe: Roasted Pears with Lemon Stilton, Walnuts and Honey

(Image: Faith Hopler)