Ingredients
- 6 oz. box of Jell-O Strawberry Instant Gelatin Mix
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 16 oz. container of fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 10 oz. container of fresh blueberries (whole)
- 8 oz. can of crushed pineapple (juice and all!)
- 2 ripe (but not overly ripe) bananas (sliced)
- [other fruits such as halved grapes and peach slices are optional]
- 1 pint of low fat sour cream
Preparation
- Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water in a large bowl.
- Add cold water and stir.
- Add fruit and stir.
- Pour 1/2 to 2/3 of Jello-O and fruit mixture into a glass “baking” dish or a large glass bowl (We use a pyrex 4 quart rectangular baking dish, as the Jell-O sets up quickly and portions can be squared out; with a bowl it takes longer for the first layer to set.), distribute the fruit evenly, and then refrigerate the dish/bowl. It typically takes about an hour or two for the bottom layer to set/gel. Retain the remainder of the Jell-O and fruit mixture in the mixing bowl at room temperature.
- Once the bottom layer has set/gelled to a solid, gently spread the sour cream over the gelled layer of Jell-O and fruit.
- Carefully pour the second layer of Jell-O and fruit mixture over the sour cream and refrigerate it all until the second layer sets and then eat!
What makes it special?
It is not a “family party” in my family, if Aunt Shirley’s Jell-O Salad is not there! We are big into family potlucks/buffets/smorgasbords and this Jell-O salad goes right next to the green or spinach salad–it is not intended to be a dessert to us!
Note that if Aunt Shirley shows up at a family party without her signature Jell-O salad, she’s not allowed in the house! My sisters and I and all of our cousin now include this salad in our own celebrations of family and friends, church communities, and I’ve even shared it with my McCarter Family!
Any welcoming meal with new friends should include this dish, in my opinion. It is sweet and cool and fruity. I wish I could share it with you now! Someday, right? For now, enjoy in your own home! Many blessings to you all.
What’s Your Connection to Princeton?
I work at McCarter Theatre Center and have the great privilege to engage regularly with audiences and members of all ages and walks of the Greater Princeton Community
Recipe shared by Paula Alekson
Photo courtesy of creative Commons