Family Chow Hall

Fluffy Orange Jell-O Salad

April 11th, 2006

My kids love this “salad” and if I am feeling particularly generous, I will serve it as a side dish and skip the vegetables for our evening meal. They asked for it recently and since I haven’t made it in a while, I thought I’d share it with you. Besides, I don’t have many posts in my dessert category, so this will help a bit.

Later this week, look for Ravioli Soup, Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breasts, and Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches. I’ll also throw in another cookbook review for you.

Packaged Jell-O and pudding mixes are so simple and can be used in a huge variety of ways. I’ve made dirt pudding, green and red Jell-O cookies, frozen pies, and salads with these inexpensive little boxed mixes. Add a graham cracker crust or some cool whip, and you hardly have any work in the kitchen to do at all.

This recipe makes a fluffy and sweet mixture with just enough fruit to justify the calories. (well, maybe) It won’t hurt a thing to add extra fruit to make yourself feel a little better about it.

Orange Jell-O Salad
prep. time: 10 minutes / chill time: 1 or more hours

1 small pkg. orange Jell-O
1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding

1 small box tapioca pudding mix
1 1/2 c. water
1 8 oz. can of pineapple - crushed or tidbits, drained
1 15 oz. can of mandarin oranges, drained
1 small tub Cool Whip or other whipped topping

Okay, open those boxes, all three of them, and dump into a large bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then add to the mixes. Whisk until they are all dissolved. You’ll see little lumps - that’s the tapioca and it’s supposed to look that way. Next, refrigerate this thick orange concoction until it’s cool. This may take an hour or two — put your feet up and watch Oprah or Dr. Phil for awhile. Finally, add the fruit and the cool whip and fold it all together.

The result is a very pretty and light summery fruit salad. It makes a lot, so there are usually leftovers, even in my large family. Enjoy!

Entry Filed under: Desserts, Recipes, Side Dishes