I was *just* traipsing through my old accordion file of recipe cards and clippings this weekend and came across the "Spice Jello Salad" my mom used to make, I could instantly picture and taste it. Not even unflavored gelatin, it calls simply for 2 packages of "red jello". No cranberry, there is instead applesauce, crushed pineapple and walnuts, with spices--still reminiscent of the season. Haven't made a jello (or gelatin) concoction in ages!
I didn’t like kale before it was cool (upper midwest upbringing by parents who grew up on farms so we had a garden, northern European ancestry so grew things like kale) so I pass on all things kale. But as a midwesterner, I like jello salads, & this is a good one.
I made a note when you published this to circle back to make the kale/Brussels salad, knowing I’d need a healthy “palate cleanser” during the short-but-somehow-never-ending-holiday-decadence. Made it for lunch today and my health-nut husband loved it, and I have to say, I felt righteous eating it! LOL. I did add a teaspoon of smoked shoyu to the dressing. I’ll keep it in my back pocket for another day, perhaps in January, ha! Thank you for sharing.
I grew-up with a cranberry jello mold - very festively decorated - at my grandma’s Thanksgiving table. Although I haven’t had this recipe or anything similar in at least 20 years, I’m craving it for its nostalgia, more than anything.
My family's cranberry relish is very similar to the strawberry and cranberry jell-o salad. Ours has chopped apples and walnuts, no oranges nor pineapple. You can also substitute any red jell-o per the recipe instructions. For a time, jell-o made a cranberry flavor and I used it. I haven't made it in years because the kids wouldn't eat it.
I love kale and I always make Jell-O on Valentine’s Day in a heart shaped mold ❤️ Great idea to pair them up on the Thanksgiving (or any other!) table. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the shout-out, Anne! 🍁
Also...I can't wait to see your scones recipe. I have a half-bag of cranberries that will need a new home after the feast. I love cranberries and always buy extra bags for the freezer and always on the look-out for ways to use them beyond Thanksgiving.
What a great column! "Friendsgivings" are the best. While living in Cleveland several decades ago I was part of a very close-knit group of friends who celebrated Thanksgiving together for more than a decade, even after several of us had moved to different parts of the country. We would reunite every Thanksgiving in Cleveland. One of our friends was a chef who was into farm to table before it was cool and was always introducing us to produce we weren't familiar with. She started making a shredded celery root and apple salad with a mustardy mayo dressing and toasted hazelnuts inspired by one she'd had in Paris for our feast and it became a favorite among all of us. I recently tracked it down and while it didn't fit into this menu I am planning to resurrect it for Christmas. Many great memories associated with that!
I was *just* traipsing through my old accordion file of recipe cards and clippings this weekend and came across the "Spice Jello Salad" my mom used to make, I could instantly picture and taste it. Not even unflavored gelatin, it calls simply for 2 packages of "red jello". No cranberry, there is instead applesauce, crushed pineapple and walnuts, with spices--still reminiscent of the season. Haven't made a jello (or gelatin) concoction in ages!
I didn’t like kale before it was cool (upper midwest upbringing by parents who grew up on farms so we had a garden, northern European ancestry so grew things like kale) so I pass on all things kale. But as a midwesterner, I like jello salads, & this is a good one.
I made a note when you published this to circle back to make the kale/Brussels salad, knowing I’d need a healthy “palate cleanser” during the short-but-somehow-never-ending-holiday-decadence. Made it for lunch today and my health-nut husband loved it, and I have to say, I felt righteous eating it! LOL. I did add a teaspoon of smoked shoyu to the dressing. I’ll keep it in my back pocket for another day, perhaps in January, ha! Thank you for sharing.
I grew-up with a cranberry jello mold - very festively decorated - at my grandma’s Thanksgiving table. Although I haven’t had this recipe or anything similar in at least 20 years, I’m craving it for its nostalgia, more than anything.
Jell-O and Kale! We are always seeking balance, right?
I'd eat both.
My family's cranberry relish is very similar to the strawberry and cranberry jell-o salad. Ours has chopped apples and walnuts, no oranges nor pineapple. You can also substitute any red jell-o per the recipe instructions. For a time, jell-o made a cranberry flavor and I used it. I haven't made it in years because the kids wouldn't eat it.
I love kale and I always make Jell-O on Valentine’s Day in a heart shaped mold ❤️ Great idea to pair them up on the Thanksgiving (or any other!) table. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the shout-out, Anne! 🍁
I have memories of multiple jello salads (red and green) on our celebration day tables. They were pretty but I just have never been a fan.
Also...I can't wait to see your scones recipe. I have a half-bag of cranberries that will need a new home after the feast. I love cranberries and always buy extra bags for the freezer and always on the look-out for ways to use them beyond Thanksgiving.
What a great column! "Friendsgivings" are the best. While living in Cleveland several decades ago I was part of a very close-knit group of friends who celebrated Thanksgiving together for more than a decade, even after several of us had moved to different parts of the country. We would reunite every Thanksgiving in Cleveland. One of our friends was a chef who was into farm to table before it was cool and was always introducing us to produce we weren't familiar with. She started making a shredded celery root and apple salad with a mustardy mayo dressing and toasted hazelnuts inspired by one she'd had in Paris for our feast and it became a favorite among all of us. I recently tracked it down and while it didn't fit into this menu I am planning to resurrect it for Christmas. Many great memories associated with that!