Happy July! Wow, June went fast. I’m excited for the 4th of July festivities coming up here in Idaho Falls! We’ve got quite the firework show here.
This is one of those recipes that happens to show up at every other eating event in my family. We love it! My older brother especially loves it. The funny thing about this salad is that the name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s MY mom’s orange jell-o salad. It’s pretty much every mom in Idaho’s jell-o salad. And probably Utah. I want to hear from you if this is a popular thing where you are now or when you were growing up! Of course when I was growing up I believed that anything my mom made was her original recipe. Sure did love Mom’s cookin’!
For those who haven’t heard of this jell-o salad, this is the deal: It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s kid-friendly, and it’s delicious. You can also make this same salad with strawberries, raspberries, or any other kind of jell-o and matching fruit you can find. All I can say is that this salad will be present at every other bbq in my family this summer.
Here’s all you’ll need for this salad when making it for a small group (Can you tell where I went shopping?):
- 1 small package of orange jell-o gelatin
- 1 can mandarin oranges
- 1 small container of cottage cheese
- 1 8 oz. whipped topping
If you’re making this for a larger group buy the large containers of all these products to make a larger salad. You’ll have to get two cans of oranges unless you can find a big can somewhere.
Directions (You’ll want to make this in a separate bowl from what you’re serving it in.)
Begin by putting all the cottage cheese in a medium-sized bowl.
Next, pour the orange jell-o into the bowl and mix it with the cottage cheese.
It’s time to add the can of oranges. You’ll want to take out the juice so it doesn’t make the salad into a soup. (Notice I’m pouring the juice into a cup? There’s got to be someone else out there who drinks the mandarin orange juice that doesn’t get used! My husband thinks I’m crazy.)
Throw in the oranges once the juice is gone.
Finally, put all the whipped topping in the bowl and FOLD it into the rest of the mixture. If you stir this together it will turn into soup. (Not that orange soup would be bad!)
After everything is combined put the salad into the bowl you plan on serving it in. And that’s it! Fast, easy, and great with a burger and chips at a bbq.
