Georgia’s Kitchen – Salad

Georgia Diehm

Keota, Iowa – It’s been a long, hot summer so far! I remember the days when we had no air-conditioning. We had to find ways to cool off the best we knew how.

Some of the ways was to sit under a shade tree & drink a nice, cold glass of lemonade. Or wetting down a sheet and hanging it over the screen door; as the breeze flapped it, the air in the room was cooled. One thing we did when our kids were at home was to pitch a tent in the back yard when it got too uncomfortably warm in the upstairs of the old story & a half home that we lived in.

It makes for good memories today. I’m sure you have some fond memories of your own.

Today I have air-conditioning as most people do. For those who don’t, I feel for you. And yet at times, I wonder if we aren’t getting too spoiled and soft. Anyway, the older I get, I truly appreciate being able to stay cool.

Here are some of Mom’s salad recipes that sound cool and refreshing. Enjoy!

Frozen Strawberry, Pineapple Salad

8 large marshmallows (cut up)
1 pkg frozen strawberries(thawed and drained)
1/4 c. coarse pecan meats
1/4 cup hot pineapple juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 T. cold pineapple juice
1 c. whipping cream (whipped)

Mix together 8 large marshmallows (cut up), 1 pkg frozen strawberries(thawed and drained), 1/4 c. coarse pecan meats, 1/4 cup hot pineapple juice, 1 envelope unflavored gelatin dissolved in 2 T. cold pineapple juice . Then stir into hot pineapple juice until dissolved and pour into fruit mixture. Fold in 1 c. whipping cream (whipped). Use muffin-tin with paper baking cup liners. Fill heaping full and freeze.

Orange Carrot Salad

1 pkg of orange jello
1 1/2 cups of liquid
1 large carrot
small can pineapple chunks

Prepare 1 pkg of orange jello using 1 1/2 cups of liquid. Pare and shred 1 large carrot. When jello is semi-firm stir in carrot shreds. Also a small can pineapple chunks if you have some. Let finish hardening.

Jello Salad

1 pkg lime jello
1 cup water
12 large marshmallows
2 cups celery (cut up)
2 cups unpeeled apples (cut up)
1/2 cup nut meats
1 cup salad dressing
1 cup whipped cream

Melt in heavy pan lime jello, water, and marshmallows. Cool and add celery-cut up, unpeeled apples-cut up, nut meats, salad dressing, and whipped cream. Chill in refrigerator.

Orange Snow-Flake Salad

1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup water
2 T. vinegar
pinch salt
2 pkgs orange jello
2 cups cold water
1/4 tsp powdered ginger
1 cup shredded pineapple
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 T. grated onion

Heat in a large pan and let come to a boil: pineapple juice, water, vinegar, and a pinch salt. Remove from heat and add orange jello. Stir until dissolved. Add cold water, powdered ginger, shredded pineapple, cottage cheese, chopped celery, grated onion. Pour altogether and stir well. Chill and serve.

Rice Salad

4 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup minced celery
1/2 cup minced green onions
1 cup mayonnaise
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all together: cooked rice, minced celery, minced green onions, mayonnaise, and salt & pepper to taste. Then mix in those other things besides the ones mentioned above. You could use: diced salami, chopped peanuts, hunks of cheese, bits of fresh tomatoes, cooked peas, bits of chicken or whatever else you want. Add any amount, but remember you may need more dressing. Chill and serve on lettuce.
Serves 4 to 12 depending on what you add.

My Family’s 60 Yr Old Fruit Salad

1 apple
1 orange
1 grapefruit
2 bananas
4 slices pineapple
1 cup celery cubes
1/4 cup pecans
lettuce
salad dressing

Core apple. Leave peel on for color. Peel orange, grapefruit, and bananas. Cut apple, orange, grapefruit, bananas, pineapple and celery in small cubes. Sprinkle apple and bananas with lemon juice to retain color. Mix lightly with salad dressing shortly before serving. Serve individually on lettuce leaf. Top with candied cherry.