Sunshine Salad

How do you feel about jello salads? There are alot of them that I can pass on by without a second look. But for me, it depends on the ingredients. If there are strawberries or pineapple, in it - I'm on it! Jim on the other hand likes all things "jello"! I think his mother made lots of jello dishes for him and his brother growing up and as a result they are sort of a comfort food. This particular recipe was one that I had flagged in one of my cookbooks as one that I'd like to make. In the margin I wrote, "Jim". The ingredient that made me know that Jim would like it was the mandarin oranges. I don't think Jim ever met a "mandarin orange" he didn't like. And this jello salad was no exception. Jim probably ate half of the salad by himself (over a period of days). You know how many jello salads break down and get watery after several days pass? Not so, on this one. I made this salad last Sunday and Jim ate the last of it today. He said it was just as good today. So if you are looking for a salad to take to a family gathering or potluck, try this one out!

Sunshine Salad (from Taste of Home Annual Recipes - 1998)

1 pkg (3 oz) lemon gelatin

1 c boiling water

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple

1/3 cup orange juice concentrate

1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained

In a bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set pineapple aside. Add enough water to the juice to equal 1 cup; stir into gelatin. Add orange juice concentrate. Chill until partially set. Fold in the pineapple and oranges. Pour into 4-cup mold or glass bowl. Chill until set. Yield: 6 servings