Here is a great salad recipe I found on the internet!!!

[irish]

I found this recipe on the internet when looking for something different, quick and easy to make.

Here is the recipe:

1--15 oz can chunk pineapple

1--5 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix- Drain the pineapple juice into the dry pudding and
     stir til thick

Add: 1--15 oz can drained mandarin oranges

         1--10 oz bottle of drained cherries

Cut up 3 bananas into salad and stir together


I had forgotten to buy the cherries and I do think that this amount listed would be too many for the salad. Maybe a smaller jar would be better.

I had some pears in the frig from a 28 oz can leftover. I drained them, cut them up into smaller pieces and added them plus I also added some miniature marshmellows.

Everyone really likes this salad. It had the best "zing" that was refreshing and it was pretty well eaten up. I have one of those older green lettuce keepers that I put the salad in and it filled it about 3/4 full. A nice amount for a smaller crowd. Don't get left with a huge salad that spoils fast.

Also, I put the bananas in the salad several hours prior to the meal with no problems. I also kept the little leftover salad for almost 48 hours before eaten up and the bananas lasted without turning brown. Must be the high amount of acid from the pineapple kept them good. Irish

[A66eyroad]

Yum! Looks good!

[kimbo]

Irish I love this recipe, I make it for all family events. I load it with marsh mallow too. If my daughter is present she adds more marshmallow.

[Meld256]

This sounds delicious!   

Irish, I think I'll make this later in the week.  I'm going to a women's gift exchange at church Friday evening, and we always have a buffet of desserts and salads.

Since it's a Christmas event, seems like there's always plenty of cookies, fudge, etc.  This will be a little less sweet and different, but I think I will double the amounts! 

[harrigan]

Irish, it sounds amazing!!  One question though - what is vanilla pudding mix?  I'm wondering if it is custard powder?  I love trying new recipes but don't want to create a disaster!!  xx Ailsa

[irish]

Sorry, I wrote pudding mix, and what I meant was the box of instant pudding that is made by several different companies. I used my store brand.

These are the boxes (5 oz is the large box of pudding mix) and you just add the 3 cups of milk and beat moderately with a whip or egg beater. These boxes are right next to the puddings that you add milk and cook on top of the stove.

Sorry, in my area we call them the "pudding mix"---suppose cause it is already mixed as a powder in the box and just add the milk. Irish

[Bucky]

Irish - mmmm, this sounds good.  Reminds me of a banana split.   

It's almost like Ambrosia - except, in that - they have a tub of whipped topping, shredded coconut and chopped walnuts that this recipe doesn't have.  (Also, Ambrosia doesn't have the pudding mix.)

Bucky

[irish]

Actually, this is similar to the salad recipes from the 70's that used the canned pie mix. If you remember using the canned apricot or peach pie mix and the canned fruit.

The thing that is different about this is that it becomes cheaper when you use the pudding mix. Also, if you can buy the pudding mix on sale it also helps. I think the thing that makes it have a little extra zip is the pineapple juice that is drained into the pudding mix and beat some.

There is just a little extra zip in this salad that I don't find in the salad made with the canned pie mix. Maybe it is just me. Also, you sure can add the coconut and nuts. My hubby can't have nuts and coconut so I just have to make it without. I would love to have it added though. Irish

[Bucky]

I have one of those older green lettuce keepers . . . 

Would that be one of the Tupperware ones?     I bet you have your share of Tupperware around the house - that used to be "the party" to attend.  (I had a Tupperware thread a little bit ago where I listed what's in my cupboards.  I could start my own Tupperware business.  LOL)

At least Tupperware is a quality product - I bet every home has at least one product from them.   

Bucky

[irish]

I have some Tupperware that is still hanging around. I have 12 of the popscicle molds and I imagine there will be a fight amongst the DIL when I die over them.

Actually, I like to hang around the thrift shops and over the years I picked up the orange peelers, jello molds, grapefruit sectioners (whatever they are called) and a bunch of other Tupperware that used to be given as door prizes at the parties. I think that those darn Tupperware parties were the best attended and most money spent parties in history. Had to love them.lol Irish