Not Your Traditional Ambrosia

This is another of “Grandma’s Recipes”, meaning a recipe I picked up from my mother-in-law.  And although Not Your Traditional Ambrosia, (which is made with fresh mandarin oranges, coconut and marshmallows) we love it at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Why I never make it any other time of year I’m not sure.  I think I just get stuck in my head the dishes that we make for holidays and I never make them any other time.  Maybe I’m afraid they won’t be special if we have them all year round.

This is a super easy, semi-homemade recipe using canned fruit, which makes it great for winter since fresh fruit is scarce.  It needs to be made a day ahead, perfect when getting ready for a holiday celebration.  If you have leftovers, they will keep a couple of days.  It’s a very “forgiving” recipe, which means you can make as little or as much as you need and adjust ingredients to your family’s taste.  It’s creamy and delicious has a secret ingredient.  The secret ingredient is……WAIT.FOR.IT……. sour cream! 

Ok, don’t click away because you think you don’t like sour cream, I don’t either.  However, I ate this ambrosia for several years before asking for the recipe, which is when I learned about the sour cream.  By letting the dish set overnight, the sweetness of the fruit changes the taste of the sour cream completely.  I hope you’ll give it a try.

Here’s the Recipe: 

• 1 can fruit cocktail – drained (we like the extra cherry kind)
• 1 can mandarin oranges – drained
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut – to taste (may be omitted if desired)
• 1 cup marshmallows – (more or less if you like)
• 2-3 oz sour cream 
• Optional: pecans or walnuts

Make sure the fruit is drained well but not bone dry

Place drained fruit in a plastic container with an airtight lid

Add desired amount of coconut and marshmallows and mix well

Starting with about 1/4 cup, mix in sour cream

Gradually add more until fruit is well coated

Seal and refrigerate overnight

Can be topped with a little extra coconut just before serving

Do you have a Christmas side unique to your family?

Not Your Traditional Ambrosia

2015-11-21 17:59:30

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Prep Time

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

Ingredients

1. 1 can fruit cocktail – drained (we like the extra cherry kind)
2. 1 can mandarin oranges – drained
3. 1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut – to taste (may be omitted if desired)
4. 1 cup marshmallows – (more or less if you like)
5. 2-3 oz sour cream
6. Optional: pecans or walnuts

Instructions

1. Make sure the fruit is drained well but not "bone dry"
2. Place drained fruit in a plastic container with an airtight lid
3. Add desired amount of coconut and marshmallows and mix well
4. Starting with about 1/4 cup, mix in sour cream
5. Gradually add more until fruit is well coated
6. Seal and refrigerate overnight
7. Can be topped with a little extra coconut just before serving

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