tropical fruit salad with chile syrup...per coyote's request

[pearl]

Dulce de frutas tropicales

fruit and spicy chiles is popular in mexico...it is wonderful.

1 papaya, peeled seeded and diced
1 mango seeded and diced
1 small pineapple peeled, cored and diced
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. water
2 or 3 fresh or dried red hot chiles

mix fruit with half the sugar.
put the rest of the sugar with the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring till the sugar is dissolved. add chiles, return to boil, and simmer for 5 minutes. remove from heat and let infuse for 30 minutes.
remove chiles and pour syrup over the fruit, stirring gently to blend. serve decorated with a few fresh basil sprigs if desired, and a few slivers of the syrupy chiles.