It’s not a family gathering unless Auntie Jean brings her famous Orange Stuff. I had to beg and plea with her in order to get her to share the secret recipe. Usually, we ge this twice a year, more if we’re lucky. Thanksgiving and Christmas – this year, it made an appearance at my Dad’s 50th Birthday. Once the orange stuff is presented at the table, it’s only custom, among the shouting for turkey and other delicious food, for the cousins to start fighting for a scoop of some good ‘ol orange stuff.
My Thanksgiving plate – note the orange stuff on the far right…
Once guarded and cloaked in secrecy, here is my Aunt Jean’s famous Orange Stuff recipe…
Ingredients:
- 1 container of cool whip
- 1 container of cottage cheese (16 oz 4%) small curd
- 1 regular package of orange jello (dry)
- 1 small can of crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 small can of mandarin oranges (drained)
Our Thanksgiving dinner table – notice the orange stuff on everyone’s plates…
Directions (aka the “Tough Part”):
- Mix cool whip, cottage cheese and jello, fold in drained fruit
- Set in refrigerator for at least 1 hour
- Eat and enjoy
*Notes from the chef: I always double the recipe for my family. The recipe calls for chopped walnuts which I never put in because some people don’t like them. Important not to use fat free or lite cool whip, or lite cottage cheese. (It comes out too watery and runny if you do.) I do use sugar free jello and no one’s the wiser. Don’t tell…
Here is a picture (from 20 years ago) of my aunt and me at my high school’s Thanksgiving Day football game. The picture was taken by and featured in my town’s newspaper, The Record Journal.
