I remember being younger (not going to age myself here) and watching my grandma cook in the kitchen. I mostly remember her frying pretty much everything in a frying pan. From steak, to chicken (bone in of course) to pork chops. But I remember her fruit salad pretty well too. Craig loves this fruit salad and so when I make it, it tends to take me back in time.
My grandma may have used different ingredients, but just eating this somehow reminds me of her! And that’s not such a bad thing!
This is a simple, fun side dish or dessert to have for the family. Summer is coming up you could bring it along for a picnic!
1 8oz tub of Cool Whip (I used Lite – no need to tell Craig)
1 box of Strawberry Jello mix (use whatever flavor you like) (the small box – I believe 40z)
1 can of Fruit Cocktail
1 can of Mandarins (I use a small can of these)
1 16 oz container of Small Curd Cottage Cheese (I used Fat Free – again, no need to tell Craig)
In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese with the box of jello. Add both cans of fruit and mix well. Add the entire tub of cool whip and combine well. You can serve right away or let it settle in the fridge for a bit.
As I said, there is nothing hard about about this at all. Sometimes it’s just fun to post something that puts a smile on your face for a special reason. This is just a fun thing to make that puts good memories in my mind. And when you miss someone, those memories are awesome to have come frequently!
What do you make that brings you back to your childhood?
Patricia – Two Girls Cooking
Never forget where you came from. The past is where you came from, but you make yourself who you decide to be.
Two Girls Cooking 
Love the creaminess of this dish. No wonder it brings back so many wonderful memories of your granma. It’s great that you’ve kept the tradition going.
I can still picture my grandma in the kitchen to this day. Sure hope the memories will be the same for my grandkids!!
Thanks again!
Patricia 😉
I was wondering is there some other ingredients I can use in this recipe instead of cottage cheese? NO one in our family like cottage cheese.
Thanks
Try sour cream! Let me know how it works. Add pineapple as well or even some mini marshmallows!
Patricia
I don’t like cottage cheese either, but jst don’t tell your family it’s in there. They’ll never know. I also use crushed pineapple (drained) instead of canned fruit cocktail.
This is also a Weight Watchers menu.
I was wondering if you drained the fruit. Please let me know. I can remember this salad from way back when (I am talking a least 65 or 67 years ago.
Yes, I do drain the fruit! It’s great.
Patricia
Should have read the comments and drained the fruit. . .I ended up with a fruity soup and had to make another batch
Oh sorry!!!!!
It is just too simple what I still make from my childhood that most kids won’t touch lol and it is super fast! Take a regular box of cheap macaroni and cheese and take the cheese out and don’t use that but boil noodles like normal and drain then add two reg. cans of tuna thats drained and add one quarter to a half of chopped fresh onion and a tblsp or more of mayonnaise (to your taste) and do the same with salt and pepper. Taste great and its quick and I think of mom every time i make it (also ch Iopped boiled egg is good in it and adds a different twist) It’s not fancy at all but cheap, taste good, and fills you up everytime !
This is a Weight Watchers recipe. I use a can of crushed pineapple instead of the fruit cocktail. Using different flavors of Jell-o make for a nice change of pace.
This is a wonderful recipe! Only problem I have are the sizes of everything. Please help me. i.e. sizes of tub of Cool Whip, jello, fruit cocktail, & Mandarin oranges. Thank you!
Sorry, I’ll add now!
What size box of Jello ????
I use the small box if making one batch.
Thank you! This sounds just like Mom’s, but she did not have Cool Whip back then! I will make this soon!
This is a great recipe. The only thing I did different was add 1 sm container of sour cream with the other ingredients as listed. I made this recipe up myself when my kids were young. Never could come up with a name so we just called it Pink Stuff unless i used green jello and mandarin oranges then it was, of course, Green Stuff.
One of my kids didn’t realize there even was cottage cheese in it, which she hated. It was an awakening for her when she grew up and asked for the recipe.
It is still loved by all and my grandchildren and great grands. Thank you
I love this too! I’m glad you stopped by!!
Thanks,
Patricia 😉
I just want to clarify do you mix the jello according to the instructions or do you just use the dry powder. Dumb question?????
Just the dry powder. No question is a dumb question!!
Patricia 😉
Been making this for years. My mother in law got the family hooked on it. It’s not Thanksgiving or Christmas without “Pink Stuff”
I love this too. I haven’t had it in a while. Maybe it’s time again!
Thanks.
Patricia 😉