Simply Sweet Home

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Recipe of the Week: Pistachio Dessert Salad

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day I wanted to post a green colored recipe. My mom used to make this Pistachio Dessert Salad every year at Christmas. Actually she called it Congealed Salad or Pistachio Salad. As a kid I always called it "that green stuff." Actually I still call it that, but I think Pistachio Dessert Salad sounds a little more inviting.

In some cookbooks it's also listed as Watergate Salad. In case your curious about this name origin I looked it up (proving once again that I'm one of the biggest nerds on the planet), and I found an article at Life123.com. It said that pistachio pudding was introduced by Kraft in 1976, and customers began making Pistachio Pineapple Delight. Then a Chicago food reporter named it Watergate Salad in her column. So there you go.

Today I'm sharing the recipe that I use and some variations on the recipe.


Recipe for Pistachio Dessert Salad:


Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip, thawed
1 (3 3/4 oz.) pkg. instant pistachio pudding mix
1 to 1 1/2 c. miniature marshmallows
1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)

Directions: Combine pudding mix and Cool Whip. Add other ingredients and mix well. Chill 1 hour before serving.


Tips & Suggestions:

-This is a very easy recipe to customize for different occasions or for your own tastes. Here are some examples and suggestions:
  • Add a splash of color and flavor by mixing in OR topping with Maraschino cherries.
  • Substitute a can of fruit cocktail for the pineapple. Or if you like a lot of fruit, mix in the fruit cocktail in addition to the pineapple.
  • Another great item to subsitute or add to the mix is mandarin oranges.
-You can also change the recipe completely by using a different flavor of pudding or jello mix.
  • My mom makes a red/pink version of this using cherry or strawberry jello and Maraschino cherries.
  • If you want a green salad, but you don't like pistachio, you can use lime gelatin instead.
  • Another version I've heard of uses orange jello, mandarin oranges, and/or pineapple.
Personally I love this pistachio version. What do you guys think?

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Please visit the following sites for more great recipes & other ideas:
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Homemaker Mondays is hosted by
11th Heaven’s Homemade Haven.
Making A Happy Home Monday is hosted by
As For Me and My House….
Kitchen Tip
Tuesdays is hosted by Tammy's Recipes
Make Something Monday is hosted by
Go Graham Go! and Jolly Mom
Tasty Tuesday is hosted by
Forever Wherever.
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-Jerri


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