Small Talk

Last Thursday was the closing social for our local Special Needs Activity Program. It’s a picnic the handicapped kids and their parents look forward to every year. Families whose last names begin with the letters A through O were asked to bring salads, and those starting with P through Z brought desserts. It’s a clever way to manage things, but our last name is ALWAYS going to give us a salad assignment. This year I wanted to bring something different, so I cheated just a bit:

Tropical Orange Salad (Dessert)

20 ounces crushed pineapple, drained

6 ounces orange gelatin mix

24 ounces small curd cottage cheese

16 ounces frozen whipped topping

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

11 ounces mandarin oranges, drained

Mix pineapple, gelatin mix and cottage cheese together in a large bowl. Fold in whipped topping, coconut and about half the oranges. Garnish with remaining oranges. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled.