'Ambrosia' is a term used throughout ancient Greek mythology, roughly meaning "Food of the Gods", or food that preserves immortality. It is said that the Tree of Buddha, the haoma tree, and the Tree of Life all produced these foods, providing immortal sustenance, unknown to humans. Early writers described ambrosia as a porridge made from honey, fruit, olive oil, barley, cheese and water.
Ambrosia Salad Hits The Scene
Ambrosia salad is a popular variation of the fruit salad, believed to have originated in the American South, sometime towards the end of the 18th Century.
Famous for its creamy, delectable flavour, this dish is making a comeback as a staple for families looking for a way to introduce more healthy choices to the dinner table or to sneak more fruit into their children's diets. Perfect for a snack any time of the day, or for dessert, this simple ambrosia salad combines a number of different types of fruit with a creamy base of your choice: yogurt, whipped cream, sour cream or pudding.
Ingredients
You can pick up the following at your local supermarket or produce stand:
- 1 cup mandarin orange slices
- 1 cup pineapple, cut in 1 inch chunks
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows (optional)
- 1 cup dried, flaked coconut
- 1 cup fat free yogurt, plain or flavoured
You can augment this simple recipe with any of your favourite ingredients such as: Bananas, Apples, Grapes, Melon/Honeydew, Cherries, Apples, Pears, Peaches or Nectarines. If these ingredients aren't available fresh, feel free to substitute with canned or frozen fruit.
Substitute whipped topping, pudding or sour cream instead of yogurt if you aren't a fan of counting calories.
Top with crushed pistachios, trail mix, sunflower seeds or raisins.
Directions
- Peel and segment mandarin oranges, removing any seeds and pulp.
- Cut pineapple into bite-size 1" chunks (how-to cut a pineapple)
- Mix oranges, pineapple, coconut and marshmallows in a large bowl, tossing
- Pour in yogurt, stirring simultaneously
- Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes or more (this will allow yogurt to thicken)
- Enjoy!
Ambrosia Salad On The Side
Primarily known as a side-dish, ambrosia salad can be the cornerstone to a healthy breakfast, too. Simply add granola or a high-fibre cereal to start your day off with a high-energy, vitamin-enriched meal. Graham crackers also provide a nice balance to the sweetness of this ambrosia salad. A sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar can also add a new twist if you get bored of this salad, but with so many options for ingredients and bases, boredom is virtually impossible with this recipe!
This sweet treat goes great with a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Try it!
