7 Cup Fruit Salad

 7 Cup Fruit Salad is a holiday tradition in our family.  This is the one dish that I just could not do without.  One of the first Christmases I spent with "G's" family I brought this salad.  Right then and there I was instructed that I must always bring this dish from that point on no matter what.  Sometimes I tease them and say that I don't think I'm bringing the fruit salad this year just to get a rise out them (hee, hee, hee).  


Something purely magical happens when these ingredients come together.  It is the fruit salad of all fruit salads!  You must make this immediately!  


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Here's what you'll need
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
1 cup marshmallows
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sour cream


Isn't that easy!  One cup of everything.  Now to be honest the mandarin oranges and cherries I just use the whole can which is actually a little more than 1 cup.  We wouldn't want good food to go to waste! Check the number of servings on the back of the can and get as close to 1 cup total as possible.  

Drain the mandarin oranges, pineapple, and maraschino cherries.  Really squish the juice out of the pineapple with the back of a spoon.

Place the chopped pecans, coconut, and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl.

Add the drained fruit and sour cream.  Yes, sour cream.  Seems strange doesn't it? People are always in shock about this ingredient.  Trust me!  

Stir it all up and let sit in the refrigerator 24 hours.  Don't skimp on this.  Let it sit and do it's magic.  Great things take time!

Serve it up and watch your friends and families eyes roll back in their head with pure joy! 

Quote of the Day

Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak to our hearts when we are asleep.  ~Eileen Elias The Angel's Little Instruction Book

Submit your favorite quote here.      

Cheers, 

Shannon


7 Cup Fruit Salad has been linked up with the following blogs.  Stop by and check out all the delicious entries! 
Prairie Story Recipe Swap Thursday
House of Hepworths - Rock Your Recipes
Ekat's Kitchen Friday Potluck
Simply Sweet Home Friday Favorites

Southern Style Green Beans

Before we get cooking let's talk about last night's episode of Glee.  Loved it!!  Food and religion together. 


The theme was how we all struggle with faith from time to time.  In short Finn saw the image of Jesus on a grilled cheese sandwich made in a George Foreman grill.  Feeling that he was experiencing a higher power he cut the sandwich in half ensuring he would not harm Grilled Cheesus (Grilled Cheesus??, LOL!).   In awe of the image on the sandwich Finn began praying to Grilled Cheesus and wished for 3 things like Jesus was a genie.  All three wishes/prayers involved other characters on the show and they all came true.  Finn was becoming almost radical about his religion until Ms. Pillsbury (Emma) told him that Grilled Cheesus did not answer his prayers.  Things worked out the way they did because of the choices each individual made she said.  All of the characters on the show struggled with their faith in their own ways.  Some believing and some not.  Everyone asking  - Does God really exist?  I think Emma summed it up best when she said " The big questions are really big for a reason.  They're hard.  And you know what, everybody struggles with them." 


I have seen God at work in my life at times and other times have wondered where He was.  But deep down I know He is always there guiding my life just where it needs to go.  Even when my free will screws it up!   This Glee episode is definitely going to start many discussions about God, Jesus, and faith over the next few days.  Which is probably a good thing.


I have to admit during the show I kept thinking....... grilled cheese (licking my lips).  You know a good ol' comforting grilled cheese with some southern style green beans sure would be good!!!  My mind is demented like that.  Always thinking about food.  I just made green beans the other night with the intention of posting the recipe.  I think I just have southern style cook em till there's probably no nutrition left in them green beans on the mind.  And cheese, it's always floating around in my mind.  Everything is better with cheese.  It's an inherited trait!  I am my fathers daughter.  


If you've never had green beans cooked this way you're in for a treat.  They are slightly salty, soft, almost creamy, with a hint of sweetness.  Even hubby who generally won't eat a green bean with a 10 foot pole loves them.  


PRINTABLE RECIPE


Southern Style Green Beans
Here's what you'll need:
1 pound of green beans (fresh or frozen)
3 or 4 slices of bacon cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces
1/2 of a small to medium sized onion roughly chopped
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
water

Place a medium to large saucepan on medium heat and throw in the bacon.  When the bacon starts to render some fat throw in the onion.  Let it cook until the bacon browns up and the onions soften. Drain off the grease and return the bacon and onion to the saucepan.

Now add the green beans, salt, sugar, pepper and enough water to cover them.

Bring everything to a good simmer, partially cover with a lid, and let it go for at least 1 hour.  I usually simmer for around 1 1/2 hours and some southern cooks will let it simmer until almost all of the liquid is cooked down. When finished taste and add more pepper or salt as needed.

Experiment with the seasonings and make it your own!

Quote of the day

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness.  Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. ~Dalai Lama

Submit your favorite quote here.

Make it a great day!

Cheers,

Shannon