One more thing about dessert...

Watergate Salad Photo: Taste of Home

What is watergate salad? The picture doesn't really help, does it? I encountered it for the first time in Virginia when I was 15 years old. My sister and I went to our first "southern bbq," and watergate was on the dessert table. Curious, we checked it out...It was fluffy, like Cool Whip, but with chunks of fruit and marshallows...and it was green. Watergate salad may look/sound interesting, but it's actually delightful. We like it because it's not too sweet, and it's fast to make. The first time I ever made it for a family gathering, my cousin became obsessed with it. After getting the recipe, she made a batch for herself, and ate the whole dang tub. What an amazing feat.

I'm not sure if they eat watergate salad in the Pac NW. I've only seen it served in southeast US, but I don't actively look for watergate salad when I'm traveling, either. It's nice to have this as a light dessert. Refrigerating it for 2 hours will also make it a bit more refreshing during the hot summers months. It will be on our Thanksgiving dessert menu, and I hope you'll try it too.

There are many different variations on watergate, but here is ours:
1 tub of whipped topping (I use the reduced fat version)
1 package of instant pudding, pistachio flavor
2 c. mini marshmallows
1/2 can of crushed pineapple, drained
1 sm. can of mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions: Mix everything together really well. Eat. Enjoy.