Velvet Salad

Velvet Salad Recipe

Ingredients

1 15 oz. can of pear slices (in heavy syrup)
1 c. pear juice (drained from canned pears)
1 3 oz. box of strawberry flavored Jello
2 Tblsps. milk
1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip or unbraded whipped topping
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)
Optional: Sliced strawberries and mint spring for garnish

Directions
Step 1: Drain pear syrup/juice from the canned fruit into a measuring cup to equal 1 cup. If there is not enough juice, fill remainder of cup with water.

Step 2: In a small sauce pan, bring pear juice to a boil and stir in Jello mix. Stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and place in refrigerator to chill until syrupy and thick - about 30-45 minutes. I put it back into the Pyrex measuring cup to cool faster. Do NOT over chill and allow to set.

Step 3: While Jello is chilling, add the room temperature cream cheese and 2 Tblsps. milk to a blender and add pears. Pulverize at first and then blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Once the Jello is thickened and cooled, in a separate bowl, add the Cool Whip, Jello and pear mixture and fold or lightly mix with a handmixter. If using a handmixer - DO NOT over beat. You want to maintain the light airiness of the Cool Whip.

Step 5: Spoon into serving dish and refrigerate until firm. Optional: Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries and mint to serve.

Laurie’s Serving Tip: You may serve as a side that can be scooped out of a serving bowl or you may wish to use it as a dessert by spooning into individual serving cups or flutes.

More Tips: You may use any flavor Jello you wish. This base is very versatile.

• Lime flavored Jello: you may spoon it into a graham cracker crust for a quick version of Key Lime Pie and garnish with lime zest and candied lime slices.

• Orange flavored Jello: serve with fresh or candy orange slices.

• Raspberry flavored Jello: serve with fresh or freeze dried raspberries.