Happy New Year with Gingerale Fruit Delight!

Here's something cool, green and refreshing to start off 2012.  Mother received this recipe ages ago from a family friend as a result of a recipe chain letter ... remember those?

For the next 25 years or so Gingerale Fruit Delight sat on our kitchen counter every Christmas because it was one sister's favorite.  A particular cranberry salad was mine and the other sister's favorite ... we got our wish at Thanksgiving. 

As with some older recipes where you have to read somewhat between the lines, this one didn't specify what size boxes of jello to use so I came home with both the large and small sizes.  After mixing up the small I decided it looked about right.  And it was.

Also, I was puzzled about the "lemon-lime jello" listed - could not find that combination at all.  I'm not sure if it's not produced anymore or if it's just not offered locally or if I just couldn't see it ... or is it just assumed you would use one lemon and one lime?  I assumed and made some adjustments to the written recipe.

 

This is a nice, citrusy congealed salad with a sharp twist on top.  It would be great during the warmer months but is especially good to brighten up a winter menu.

Gingerale Fruit Delight

2 small packages lemon-lime jello

(1 small lemon and 1 small lime)

1 3/4 cup boiling water

1 3/4 cups gingerale

1 - 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved

2 large bananas, diced

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine jello with boiling water and gingerale in a medium bowl.  Chill just until mixture begins to thicken slightly.  Fold in pineapple, bananas, marshmallows and pecans.  Pour into a 13- x 9- inch dish and refrigerate until firm.

Topping

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1 egg, slightly beaten

reserved pineapple juice

1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

1 cup (maybe a little more) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine sugar and flour; add egg and juice.  Heat to boiling point, stirring constantly, until thickened.  Let cool completely.  Fold in whipping cream.

Spread cream topping over congealed jello mixture.  Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.