This is a recipe that is neither frugal nor healthy.
And it’s not exactly a salad either. So, I can’t really encourage you to eat this in good conscience.
Except maybe every now and again, like I do.
My mom used to make this (every now and again, mind you) when I was a kid, mostly on special occasions, like birthdays. Like my siblings and me, my own kids now regularly request this as part of their birthday meals.
And since some of you asked after seeing my 365 post the other day, I thought it might be fun to share the recipe.
I’m filing it in the Desserts category, but to be terribly honest, my family never eats this as dessert…we eat it right alongside the main dishes.
Surprisingly, none of us have died from it yet. 😉
In a pot, combine one 3 oz. package of tapioca pudding mix, one 3 oz. package of cook and serve vanilla pudding mix, and one 3 oz. package of orange jello mix with 3 cups of water.
Boy. That’s not how my recipes normally start.
Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and clear. I usually bring mine to a low boil.
Let that cool completely.
Then prepare one package of Dream Whip according to the package directions. I imagine you could use real whipped cream (or Cool Whip) if you preferred.
Fold the Dream Whip into the cooled jello mixture,
along with one small can of drained mandarin oranges.
Cover and refrigerate until firm.
I must apologize for not having a lovely plated photo of this for you…I took the jello to a family gathering and barely remembered to snap a photo at all.
On the next every-now-and-then sort of occasion where I make this, I promise I’ll do better.
Mandarin Orange Salad
1 small (3 oz) package tapioca pudding mix
1 small (3 oz.) package cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
1 small (3 oz.) package orange Jello
3 cups water
1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
1 package Dream Whip
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine tapioca, pudding and Jello with water. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, clear, and bubbling slightly. Cool completely.
Prepare Dream Whip according to package directions, and fold oranges and Dream Whip into cooled Jello mixture. Cover and refrigerate until firm.
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Pssst!
If you’re looking for something mandarin-y but a bit healthier (or for something that truly IS a salad!), perhaps Mandarin Chicken Salad would be more your speed.
Both of those recipes are easy and include directions for making two different but delicious homemade salad dressings.
Debbie
Friday 6th of May 2022
I grew up with my Mom being famous for bringing her orange jello salad to holiday gatherings. I still need it on the Thanksgiving table every year! Mom’s “recipe” was simple, just orange jello and mandarin oranges made in a jello mold (or a Bundt pan) with Cool Whip plopped in the center. Kristen’s recipe sounds yummy, like a creamsicle! I will definitely try it!
scott
Monday 10th of July 2017
Americans are so funny with all there packets and cans and "salads".
This dish is a take on flummery - or jelly whip (whipped jello). Very 1970's :)
also very yum.
Anne
Friday 4th of March 2016
Mum used to make something similar as dessert, it was a recipe from a recipe book she got from Tupperware. The non-USA version used milk in the jelly mixture and sour cream instead of Cool/Dream Whip as neither are available here, which sounds like a healthy fact if they have trans fats in them. It's called Mandarin Fluff in the book.
EngineerMom
Wednesday 2nd of May 2012
My in-laws make something similar, but green! Pistachio-flavored jello or pudding, I think.
You might want to try making it with real whipped cream - the third ingredient in Dream Whip is partially hydrogenated oil, which means it's loaded with trans fat, the one fat everyone can agree is BAD.
Suzanne
Wednesday 2nd of May 2012
We lovingly call this OFPS for "Orange fluff pudding stuff."