If you’ve never heard of Ambrosia Salad before, you’re in for a real treat. This delightful dessert salad is a staple in many Southern households, especially during the holiday season. It’s a whimsical combination of tropical fruits like pineapple and mandarin oranges, mixed with maraschino cherries, sour cream, miniature marshmallows, and flaked coconut. It’s like a tropical vacation in a bowl! The beauty of this salad is its simplicity. It’s so easy to make, but the combination of flavors and textures is simply divine. The tangy sour cream balances out the sweetness of the fruits and marshmallows, while the coconut adds a unique texture that makes every bite interesting. I personally love serving this salad at family gatherings because it’s always a hit with both kids and adults. Plus, it’s a refreshing change from the usual chocolate or caramel desserts. If you’re looking for a unique dessert that’s easy to make and absolutely delicious, give this Ambrosia Salad recipe a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredients
- 1 can chunk pineapple
- 1 can mandarin oranges
- 1 small jar maraschino cherries
- 1 container sour cream
- 1 small pkg. miniature marshmallows
- 1 can flaked coconut
Salad Assembly
- Drain pineapple, oranges and cherries, put in bowl and mix all ingredients together.
- Put in refrigerator.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 10 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Epic Tale of the Ambrosia Salad
So, there I was, standing in my kitchen, armed with a can opener and a suspiciously optimistic attitude. The mission? To create an Ambrosia Salad. The ingredients? An eclectic mix, to say the least: 1 can of chunk pineapple, 1 can of mandarin oranges, 1 small jar of maraschino cherries, 1 container of sour cream, 1 small package of miniature marshmallows, and 1 can of flaked coconut. The challenge: to somehow combine all these into a dish that resembles food.
The Drain Game
The first step in this culinary expedition was to drain the pineapple, oranges, and cherries. This turned out to be a surprisingly emotional experience. Each can, when opened, released a sigh of tropical aroma that had me longing for a beach vacation. The cherries, in particular, were a tricky bunch. Their sweet, sticky juice clung to the fruit like a desperate lover, refusing to let go. But, with a little encouragement and a lot of patience, they eventually succumbed.
The Mixing Bowl Chronicles
Next up, it was time to mix all the ingredients together. This is where the real fun began. The pineapple, with its sharp, tangy taste, seemed to be in a constant battle with the soft, gentle flavor of the mandarin oranges. The maraschino cherries, meanwhile, just sat there, looking pretty and adding a pop of color. The marshmallows and flaked coconut, on the other hand, were having a party of their own. They swirled around the bowl, creating a fluffy, white cloud of sweetness. The sour cream, being the mature one in the group, tried to mediate and bring everyone together. And, surprisingly, it worked! The result was a harmonious blend of flavors that was both delightful and confusing.
The Waiting Game
After a good mix, it was time to put the bowl in the refrigerator. Now, if you think watching paint dry is boring, try waiting for a salad to chill. With nothing much to do, I found myself staring at the fridge, willing it to chill faster. I even tried sweet-talking it, but alas, it remained unresponsive.
The Reveal
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was time to take out the salad. The moment of truth, if you will. I opened the fridge, half expecting the salad to have transformed into a tropical fruit monster. To my relief, it looked just the same, only colder. The flavors had melded together beautifully, creating a symphony of sweet, sour, tangy, and creamy. The marshmallows had softened, absorbing the flavors of the fruits, and the coconut added a lovely crunch.
A Delicious Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! My journey with the Ambrosia Salad. It was a road filled with can openers, fruit juice, marshmallow fluff, and a stubborn refrigerator. But, in the end, it was all worth it. The salad was a hit, and I was left with a newfound respect for canned fruits and sour cream. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! But next time, I’ll probably invest in a faster chilling fridge.
So, the next time you find yourself with a random assortment of canned fruits, marshmallows, and sour cream, don’t panic. Just remember: If I can make an Ambrosia Salad, so can you!
