Ambrosia Salad

The first time I had Ambrosia salad was at an all-you-can-eat buffet with Granny. It was probably an early bird special kind of buffet. And, I’m wondering why people make jokes about these early bird buffets. All the food you want, including dessert, before 6 pm, someone else cleans up, and you’re home well before 7? So why do we make fun of this, and why do we have to be retired to see this as such a brilliant plan? Especially if this buffet includes ambrosia.

I’ll tell you why we should move ambrosia from the early bird buffet to your family’s regular menu. You can pass this dish off as dessert or a salad. Marshmallows and coconut make it sweet like a dessert, but the fruits keep it light and healthier than a regular dessert. Also, It checks a lot of boxes, but my favorite check marks go in the I-always-have-most-of-this-on-hand box, and the my-toddler-will-eat-it box.Turns out the term “ambrosia” is Greek for “elixir of life” and “food of the gods.” So how did this mythological power house go from being food for the gods to the all-you-can-eat buffet?? I daresay Zeus, Hercules and the gang are all rolling over in their graves.

In these non-mythological days, ambrosia is a classic throwback recipe. When I mention ambrosia, most people say that their mother, or grandmother, or aunt made a delicious ambrosia. So let’s make sure your children, grandchildren, and nieces/nephews can say the same about you! Or maybe they’ll even say your ambrosia was fit for the gods. Here is Granny’s very light, refreshing, sweet, and springy version. Also, you can add or substitute any fruit. I have seen versions with bananas, cherries, apples and blueberries. Use this as a base and invent your own fit-for-the-gods ambrosia!

Print

Ambrosia

Granny's very light, refreshing, sweet, and springy version of ambrosia is perfect as it is or easy to customize with your favorite fruits. Whip up a batch for a special side dish or a delicious dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 20 oz. can chunk pineapple, drained
• 1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 1/2 c seedless red grapes, halved
• 1 c mini marshmallows
• 1 c flaked coconut
• 1/2 c nuts optional
• 3/4 c sour cream or vanilla yogurt
• 1 T sugar

Instructions

1. Combine pineapple, oranges, grapes, marshmallows, coconut, and nuts. Combine sour cream and sugar in a small bowl. Stir into fruit mixture. Chill for a few hours or overnight.