Citrus Jello Salad (Shhh! It’s a Secret.)

I have discovered a new side dish that causes a grown man to hide the left-overs in an empty yoghurt container so he can eat them all himself. This secret recipe is fast becoming a family favourite. And you know that secret recipes, especially those that are family, secret recipes can never be divulged.

Well, luckily for you this recipe is not really a secret, nor is it a family recipe (yet). Plus I always get a little irritated when people tell me I can’t have their recipe cause it’s soooo secret. This is the day of the Internet. Nothing, not even a recipe, stays a secret for long.

Easy side dishes are a must at a BarBQue. I usually bring Green Stuff to BarBQues and other family get-togethers. I now have a new desserty-type dish to bring that we all like BETTER than green stuff. (Sorry, Mom.)

Until a new name surfaces, I will call it Orange Stuff. It is a “dump” type recipe where you dump in all the ingredients, stir, chill and serve.

Ingredients

• Cool Whip: 1 carton – thawed (8-oz.)
• Cottage cheese: 1 carton (16-oz.)
• Crushed pineapple: 1 can (20-oz.)  (drained)
• Mandarin oranges 1 can (11-oz.)  (drained)
• Orange extract: 1 teaspoon (optional)
• Orange Jello: 1  box (3-oz.)
• Instant vanilla pudding: 1  box (3-oz.)

Directions

1. Put thawed Cool Whip and cottage cheese into large bowl.
2. Dump drained crushed pineapple and drained mandarin oranges on top.
3. Measure out 1 teaspoon of orange extract and pour into fruit. (Optional step.)
4. Open up boxes of orange jello and instant pudding mix and pour the dry powder on top of fruit.
5. Using a large spoon mix together all ingredients until well mixed.
6. Scoop mixture into bowl and cover with Saran Wrap.
7. Here’s another optional step – Put it in the refrigerator until chilled. It really does taste better c-o-l-d!

I got the original recipe from Recipe Shoebox. We like our jello-cottage cheese-Cool Whip salads a little firmer. So I added a box of instant vanilla pudding. This addition toned the orange taste w-a-y down so I added 1 teaspoon of orange extract. No matter how you make this salad, your family is sure to appreciate your easily-made, tasty concoction.

NOTE: If you cannot find Cool Whip or you want an alternative without chemicals, use this home-made version.

Your Turn . . . What are some simple side dishes that you make? . . . What would you call this salad?