Mercer'S Frosted Orange Salad
A vibrant, citrusy gelatin salad featuring orange flavor, pineapple, and mandarin oranges, perfect for summer gatherings or holiday desserts, offering a refreshing and sweet taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix orange jello, sugar, hot water, cold water, and frozen orange concentrate juice until well combined.
- Chill the mixture slightly, then add the crushed pineapple and drained mandarin oranges.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider folding in some whipped topping or Greek yogurt after the mixture has chilled. If you don't have frozen orange concentrate, fresh orange juice can be used, but reduce the amount of added sugar. This salad can also be made with other flavors of jello for a fun twist, just like the variations found in American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mercer’s Frosted Orange Salad as a refreshing side dish at barbecues or family gatherings. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or can be enjoyed as a light dessert. For an added touch, garnish with mint leaves or serve alongside a slice of Baked Apple Pie for a delightful meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain the salad's texture, avoid freezing as it may separate when thawed. Serve chilled, and if it seems too firm after being stored, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mercer'S Frosted Orange Salad contains roughly 242 calories, with 3g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (106% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and calcium. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh fruit! Just make sure to peel and cut the fruit into small pieces. Fresh oranges, diced apples, or berries can enhance the freshness of the salad, but you may want to adjust the sweetness since fresh fruit can vary in flavor.
How can I make this salad more colorful?
To add more color, consider incorporating various fruits like strawberries or blueberries along with the mandarin oranges. You could also use a different jello flavor, such as raspberry or strawberry, to create a vibrant, layered effect in the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for vegan diets?
The original recipe contains gelatin, which is not vegan. However, you can substitute it with agar-agar or a plant-based gelatin alternative to make it suitable for vegan diets. Additionally, ensure that any canned products used do not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).