What Ingredients Go into Ambrosia Salad and Its Classic Dressing

Sharing cherished recipes is one of the most rewarding experiences in cooking. Today, I will delight you with two delightful family recipes – the fruit salad and its iconic dressing. These are essential parts of holiday meals, infused with warmth and nostalgia from the rich tapestry of our family traditions.

Two Versatile Ambrosia Salad Combinations

For the fruit salad, I often switch things up. Below are two of my favorite combinations:

Combination 1

1 head of butter lettuce 3 large oranges 2 large bananas 1/2 cup of pitted fresh dates – all chopped into bite-sized pieces

Alternatively, you can choose:

Combination 2

Lettuce of your choice Canned pineapple Canned mandarin oranges Walnuts – all chopped

Feel free to experiment with what you think you will enjoy. That's the beauty of cooking – it's all about personal preference and creativity.

Ambrosia Dressing: A Family-Nurtured Delight

The dressing for this festive salad holds a special place in our hearts. I found it in one of my mother's cookbooks when I was young. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients for Ambrosia Dressing

1/4 cup of real lemon juice 3 tablespoons of brown sugar (coconut palm sugar is the healthiest option) 1/2 teaspoon of Himalayan salt, freshly ground 1/4 teaspoon of powdered ginger (available in international grocery stores) 1 cup of sour cream 1/4 cup of flaked coconut

To prepare: Stir the lemon juice, sugar, salt, and ginger until the sugar dissolves. Gradually blend in the sour cream. Finally, stir in the coconut. This makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing.

Ambrosia for Holidays in Tennessee

For my family in Tennessee, Ambrosia was an integral part of our holiday meals. It was always served in a beautiful cut-glass bowl, symbolizing the warmth and celebration of the season. In our family recipe, we kept it simple and did not involve whipped cream, Kool Whip, mini marshmallows, or maraschino cherries. Instead, the key ingredients were oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, and a handful of coconut flakes. It is crucial to cut the oranges and grapefruits so that there is no membrane around the edges.

Sieving Through Classic Ambrosia Recipe

Here is the updated recipe for a classic Ambrosia salad, fitting for today's palate while staying true to tradition:

1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon sugar 4 ounces sour cream 6 ounces of homemade mini marshmallows (approximately 3 cups) 1 cup clementine orange segments (approximately 6 clementines) 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple 1 cup freshly grated coconut 1 cup toasted, chopped pecans 1/2 cup drained maraschino cherries

Steps to Prepare:

Combine the cream and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whip until stiff peaks form. Add the sour cream and whisk to combine. Gradually fold in the mini marshmallows. Stir in the clementine orange segments, chopped pineapple, grated coconut, toasted pecans, and maraschino cherries.

This combination creates a perfectly balanced ambrosia salad, combining classic flavors with a touch of modern refinement. Enjoy your festive meal and the delicious, cherished flavors of the season!