The Color of Christmas: Red, White, and Green

The following “salads” were always traditional at Christmas. Although they had other names, they became known just as “the red salad, the white salad, and the green salad.” I know this is strange! But don’t let that keep you from trying them!

Nannie's Cranberry Cream Salad 

1 pkg cherry gelatin

1 c. hot water

1/2 c. cold water

1  1-lb. can whole cranberry sauce

1/2 c. diced celery

1/4 c. chopped pecans

1 c. sour cream

Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Add cold water. Let chill until slightly thickened. Break up cranberry sauce with a fork. Stir into gelatin with celery and nuts. Fold in sour cream. Pour into oiled one-qt. mold or just pour into a favorite dish. Chill.

Nannie's White Salad

16 large marshmallows
1 sm. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 pint whipping cream
nuts

Melt together the marshmallows and pineapple. While this mixture is cooling, whip the cream.

Add nuts to the marshmallow mixture. Stir and then fold in whipping cream. Chill. That’s it!

Ganna's Green Salad – also known as Creamy Lime Salad

1 pkg lime gelatin
¾ c. boiling water
1 cup evaporated milk
9 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 T. lemon juice
1 cup cottage cheese
½ c. chopped nuts
½ c. finely chopped celery
½ c. mayonnaise

Dissolve lime gelatin in boiling water.
Cool slightly, and then stir in evaporated milk.

Chill until mixture is very thick, but not set. Stir in crushed pineapple, lemon juice, cottage cheese, chopped nuts, celery, and mayonnaise.

Pour into a bowl. Chill until firm.

Date Nut Candy

3 c. sugar
1 c. chopped dates
2/3 c. milk
1 c. nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. butter

Mix milk and sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a boil . Let cook for 7 minutes then add chopped nuts and chopped dates. Cook for 8 minutes more. Then add butter and beat until good and thick. Wet a good size cloth (example old pillow case) place cloth on table and pour this mixture in a line across the end of the cloth and roll all the way up. When cool, unroll cloth and slice loaf.

Hello Dollies

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can (15 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Melt the butter; mix in graham cracker crumbs. Pat crumb mixture in a 9-x13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining ingredients over the crumbs in order given, in layers. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over all. Do NOT stir. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Dorito Chicken Casserole

Simple, quick, and delicious! Perfect to take new mom, new neighbor, etc.


3-4 chicken breasts, cooked*, boned, and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
8oz. carton sour cream
1 can chopped green chilies
1 Big Grab bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
1 c. grated Cheddar or Jack cheese



Combine all ingredients except cheese. Pour into casserole. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. *I like to cook the chicken breasts in crock pot and freeze broth for later.

Nannie's Pecan Pie

This was always a holiday favorite!

Mix:

½ c. sugar
2 T. flour

Add:

1 c. white Karo
3 eggs
pinch salt
1 t. vanilla
2 T. melted butter

Beat all above ingredients together. Add 1 c. chopped pecans.

Bake in unbaked pie shell at 400 degrees for 15 mins. Then reduce to 350 degrees until done.

Jalapeno Cheese Soup

Don't let the "j" word scare you! The pepper can be adjusted to your taste. This is a rich and wonderful soup.

1/2 lb butter
3/4 c. flour
1 large onion, chopped
1 qt. chicken broth
1 qt half and half
*1 c. jalapenos, processed in food processor
2 1/2 lb. American or Velveeta cheese
1/2 T lemon pepper
1/2 T. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
2 c. chicken, cooked and chopped

Saute onions in butter with Lawry's and lemon pepper. Add flour and make a roux. Add cream and broth and stir until thickened. Add jalapenos and cheese. Stir until dissolved. Add chicken. Garnish with tortilla chip in center of cup. * I like to use jalapenos from a jar, but you could use fresh. I imagine they would be much more spicy so be careful! If you don't want it very spicy, then add less peppers. Ole!