So Many Different Aspic's on Jell-O, Gelee` and Jellied Salads

Here’s something to ponder… is aspic a fancy name for
Jell-O? Or is Gelee` a fancy name for jellied salad? Or………? I did not realize how many points of view there were on this subject. My grandmother insists that aspics are always savory and Jell-O or jellied salads tend to be sweet. My aunt on the other hand says; “Jell-O is a jellied salad when you put vegetables in it”. For example my aunt makes a lemon Jell-O with shredded cabbage and carrots which she tops with a dollop of Miracle Whip salad dressing (really delicious by the way). This would be referred to as a jellied salad. Now my mother frequently made the lime Jell-O with cottage cheese and pineapple in it. If my mother made it in the Pyrex baking dish it was her lime Jell-O salad if she put it in her Jell-O mold it was her Jell-O mold fruit dessert. Needless to say it is quite confusing depending on who you talk to. I guess all that really matters with any food is that it tastes good, gets people together and conjures up some good memories in the process.

Vintage Aspic

1 1/4 cups tomato juice
1/8 teaspoon crushed basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (3 oz.) pkg. lemon Jell-O
3/4 cup white dinner wine
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional but good)

Heat tomato juice, basil and salt to boiling. Add Jell-O and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat; blend in wine and wine vinegar. Chill until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in crumbled cheese.
Turn into small ring mold. Serve on salad greens, can be topped with sour cream. Flavor improves with age, can be made several days in advance. Serves 5-6.

Pudding Poke Cake

This time my Aunt made a “Poke Cake” using pudding instead of the gelatin. I have to say it was one of the moistest cakes that I have ever had, she did chocolate cake with chocolate pudding. I remember when I posted The Jell-O poke cake a few posts back it sparked a lot of memories for some. These recipes are just fun and meant to be shared.

Pudding Poke Cake

1 pkg. (2 layer size) cake mix (white, yellow or chocolate)

Topping:

2 pkgs. (4 serving size) Jell-O chocolate instant pudding and pie filling (may also be creative with different flavors)

1 cup confectioners' sugar

4 cups cold milk

Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on package for 13x9 inch cake. Remove from oven. Poke holes at once down through cake to pan with round handle of wooden spoon (or poke holes with plastic drinking straw, using turning motion to make large holes.) Holes should be at 1 inch intervals. Only after the holes are made, combine pudding mix with sugar in large bowl. Gradually stir in milk. Beat with electric mixer at low speed for not more than 1 minute. Do not over beat. Quickly, before pudding thickens, pour about 1/2 of the thin pudding evenly over warm cake and into holes (This will make stripes in cake.) Allow remaining pudding to thicken slightly, then spoon over the top, swirling it to "frost" the cake. Chill at least 1 hour. Store cake in refrigerator.

Playing around with contrasting colors can be fun too. Such as; white cake with chocolate pudding, chocolate cake with vanilla pudding or a real pretty one is white cake with pistachio pudding.

Pretty in Pink

With all the picnics and family gatherings lately I have noticed more and more, that the majority of stand out dishes being passed around have either Jell-O or Bisquick somewhere in there list of ingredients. It makes you wonder how we ever lived without these products.

I haven’t had a Jell-O or Bisquick recipes yet that I have not enjoyed.
This cake is no exception; it is just bursting with the taste of strawberries. Surprisingly as far as cakes go, this one is not overly sweet; as a matter of fact it actually tastes just like fresh strawberries.
You can’t beat the color; this would be a great birthday cake for that little girl in your life who loves everything pink.

Strawberry Jell-O Cake

1 pkg. white cake mix

1 box strawberry Jell-O

3/4 cup cooking oil

1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

3 tbsp. flour

1/2 cup water

4 eggs

Add flour, eggs, Jell-O, water and oil to cake mix and beat 2 minutes at medium speed with mixer. Add strawberries and beat 1 minute until smooth. Bake according to cake mix instructions.

ICING:
1 stick butter, softened

1/4 tsp. salt

1 box powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

Cream butter until smooth. Add sugar, salt and berries as needed. Beat well. Spread on cake. Garnish with fresh berries when serving.

Going Green in a Delicious Way

In the late 70’s to mid 80’s I worked as a Deli-Bake Manager at Star Market. On the bakery end we would make fresh donuts daily and on the Deli end there were quite a few of the salads that we made in store. This was the one salad we could never keep enough of; it went as fast as we made it. Back in the early 80’s you would see this salad at every picnic or potluck family get together. It’s no wonder it was so popular, it was a pretty shade of green, it was sweet & creamy, easy to make and very inexpensive. I’m surprised that I don't see it as much anymore. I did happen to spot it this weekend at a local supermarket in the Deli section, it brought back many memories.

Pistachio Salad

1 lg. can crushed pineapple (do not drain)

1 pkg. Jell-O pistachio instant pudding mix

1 sm. container Cool Whip

2 cups of miniature marshmallows
1 cup of chopped pecans

Mix pineapple and pudding. Add Cool Whip, marshmallows and pecans. Mix together thoroughly. Let salad set overnight before serving.