EASIEST CREAMY, FRUITY JELLO SALAD EVER!

We've enjoyed this easy, fruity JELLO SALAD for many years.  It's a favorite for family reunions, or for occasions when time is short and yet we want a good people-pleaser.  To assemble, just thaw a tub of cool whip, and add a package of any desired flavor of dry JELLO, a tub of cottage cheese, and then any extras you want--mandarin oranges, sliced bananas, berries, etc.--you decide what you like best, This recipe is my particular favorite--orange JELLO with crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges.  Quick and easy, and sure to please!

ORANGE CREAM COTTAGE CHEESE FRUIT SALAD

1 8-oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed

1 16-oz. tub cottage cheese

1 small pkg. orange JELLO (my sister uses a large pkg)

1 15-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained well

1 can mandarin oranges, drained well

In a serving bowl, combine dry JELLO and cottage cheese.  Blend well.  Fold in thawed Cool Whip, stirring gently, until blended.  Add drained fruit.  Chill.   NOTE:  Other combinations we like:  lime JELLO with crushed pineapple, strawberry JELLO with sliced bananas, raspberry JELLO with whipped cream and fresh raspberries on top. 

ORANGE CREME SALAD--EASY AND GOOD!

We got this recipe about 15 years ago from my daughter's friend, Starr.  So, we have always called it STARR'S JELLO.  It's great alternative to the regular run-of-the-mill JELLO SALAD, although just as quick and easy.  My mother has experimented with different pudding and jello flavors, and has found some great combinations--so, let your imaginations go wild, and come up with some of your own!

STARR'S ORANGE CREME JELLO
1 small pkg lemon JELLO Cook and Serve

1 lg. pkg Orange JELLO

Prepare lemon cook-and-serve lemon pudding according to directions on the package.  Set aside.  Prepare Orange JELLO, with 1/2 cup less hot water, and 1/2 cup less cold water.  Whisk the lemon pudding into the orange mixture and blend well.  Refrigerate until set.  Great topping with whipped cream or Cool Whip and mandarin oranges.

RASPBERRY FRUIT SALAD - OUR FAVORITE

This RASPBERRY SALAD is a favorite of several in our family.  It is full of good things to eat~frozen, sweetened raspberries, bananas, crushed pineapple, and sweet, chopped pecans.  The salad has been a staple of our Christmas Eve menu for as long as I can remember, but would be lovely served with your Valentine's menu's, or in July, made in individual star molds. It can be made a day ahead, so is easy to just remove from the mold and serve the day of your meal.  I always look forward to it, and have also substituted frozen strawberries and strawberry jello for the raspberries and it is excellent as well.  For those who don't like nuts, they can easily be omitted.  I use bananas that are firm, yet sweet--not over ripe.  I think you'll enjoy it.

RASPBERRY FRUIT SALAD

1 large pkg raspberry (or strawberry) jello

2-3 large bananas, diced

1 large can crushed, drained well

1 10-oz. pkg sweetened frozen raspberries (or strawberries)

2 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Dissolve jello in boiling water.  Add frozen fruit and stir until unthawed.  Pour in a large jello mold.  Chill until slightly thickened.  Drain pineapple, chop nuts and dice bananas.  When jello slightly thickened, fold in the remainder of the fruit and nuts.  Chill until set.  Can be made the day ahead.  NOTE:  When I make this and fold the fruit and nuts in, I made sure that all bananas are completely covered with the jello so they will not turn brown.  

TACO SALAD - A FAMILY FAVORITE

I thought everyone had heard of TACO SALAD; we've enjoyed it in our family for over 30 years.  However, just recently I was in a group of women talking about quick and easy meals that everyone liked, including children, and when taco salad was mentioned, there were actually a few who had never made it and wondered how.  So, today I'm posting our favorite way to make taco salad.  What's so neat about this salad, is that you get to make your own yourself.  Everyone gets to choose the condiments they put on, and a wide assortment is always offered.  Some only use the meat, cheese and chips, others prepare theirs with every topping offered.  Whether you like yours simple, or all-inclusive, this salad is great for a fun family-style gathering, and the leftovers can easily be stored in the same containers used for serving, and brought out again for the next time you want to serve it--so clean up is a cinch, as well.  You can also easily add your favorite condiments to our list--or ones you know your family will like.

OUR FAVORITE TACO SALAD

1 lb. lean ground beef

1/2 packet mild taco seasoning

1 8-oz. tomato sauce

1 can kidney beans, drained

Brown beef.  Add taco seasoning and tomato sauce.  Heat through, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Drain kidney beans and add to meat mixture.  Heat through.  Layer with your favorite toppings and condiments, serving out of individual bowls for people to choose from.

Our favorite things to top it off with:

fritos or your favorite corn chips

broken or shredded lettuce

chopped green onions

chopped olives

grated cheeses

chopped cucumbers

chopped tomatoes

chopped red and/or green peppers

guacamole

your favorite salsa

thousand island, ranch or Catalina dressing

ketsup and/or sour cream