Living out Micah 6:8: Recipes

Welcome! Here is where you will find tried and true recipes that I have accumulated over the years (more than likely from my mom who is the BEST cook and baker in the world but I may be slightly biased. She does, however, have former Bakery Manager at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri on her resumè.) I didn't get them off the internet, but I can't guarantee that they aren't out there now. (But really, what isn't out there now?!) Added bonus is that my kids will now have these when I'm gone. Enjoy!

"Cookie Salad"

This is a recipe I got from my mom more than 25 years ago and is a staple at Thanksgiving and potlucks as it's a family favorite.

Ingredients:

2 - boxes instant pistachio pudding

2 - cups buttermilk

1 - 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple - NOT drained

1 - package Keebler Fudge Grahams - frozen and then crushed (reserving 3 whole cookies for top of salad)

1 - 8 oz. container thawed whipped topping

Directions:

Combine the dry pudding mixes and the buttermilk in mixing bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip into a thicker-than-normal mixture.
Add pineapple (with juice) and mix by hand until well-blended.
Fold in whipped topping.
Add crushed cookies, mixing well. (Note: freezing the cookies makes it easier and less messy to crush them. They don't take long to freeze - maybe 30 minutes. After which, I place in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and take a meat tenderizer hammer or a heavy ice cream scoop to them and play Whack-A-Mole! It's actually very therapeutic!)
Put entire mixture into plastic container/dish with lid.
Place the 3 whole cookies on top in a decorative pin-wheel or flower-type pattern in center.
Refrigerate at least 8 hours. Keep any leftover refrigerated.

"Orange Stuff"

This one is actually from my mother-in-law. I have changed the name slightly which I will explain later.

Ingredients:

1 - small/normal box of orange flavor Instant Jell-O

1 - 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple - NOT drained

1 - 24 oz. tub of small curd cottage cheese

1 - 8 oz. container of whipped topping

Optional - Mandarin orange slices for decoration

Directions:

Empty pineapple with juice into medium-sized plastic container
Sprinkle dry Jell-O in the juice that forms around the pineapple
Let set for a few minutes to dissolve
Stir the pineapple and Jell-O together
Add cottage cheese to the above mixture and blend well
Fold in whipped topping until nicely blended making sure to scrape the bottom of the plastic container.

Optional: Place 3-4 slices of canned mandarin oranges for decoration on top.

Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Keep any leftovers refrigerated also.

Now about that name...my MIL calls it "Pink Stuff" even though it's made with orange Jell-O and looks orange (still scratching my head on that one.) This recipe is a favorite of both my husband and our son, Logan. To avoid awkward moments and conversations when my son talks about foods he's looking forward to eating at Thanksgiving especially if he chooses to give me ownership of it as in "My mom's _______," I changed the name. However, it did lead me to try making it with strawberry Jell-O. That version is also very good and is true "Pink Stuff." :)