π₯πππ₯ Ambrosia Waldorf Salad π₯πππ₯
What is it?
Ambrosia Waldorf Salad is a delightful and classic American salad that combines sweet and savory flavors. It’s a refreshing dish often served as a side dish or dessert, especially during holidays and special occasions.
History:
The Ambrosia salad has roots in Southern cuisine, and it is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The term “Ambrosia” itself comes from Greek mythology, referring to the food of the gods, which was thought to be exceptionally delicious and divine. The salad was likely named Ambrosia due to its sweet and heavenly taste.
Components:
The ingredients in Ambrosia Waldorf Salad can vary, but some common components include:
- Fruit: Typically, Ambrosia includes fruits like fresh pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, and sweetened shredded coconut.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts are often added for a crunchy texture.
- Dressing: Sour cream, whipped cream, or yogurt is used to bind the ingredients together and add creaminess.
- Sweetener: Sometimes, a bit of sugar or honey is added to enhance the sweetness.
- Optional Ingredients: Some variations may include mini marshmallows or sliced bananas.
Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a simple recipe for Ambrosia Waldorf Salad:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, halved and drained
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple chunks, mandarin orange segments, maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts.
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In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream (or yogurt) and honey (or sugar) until well combined.
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Pour the dressing over the fruit and nut mixture and gently fold everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated.
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Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
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Just before serving, you can garnish with additional cherries, coconut, or nuts for a beautiful presentation.
Preparation Time:
Preparing Ambrosia Waldorf Salad typically takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how quickly you can chop and assemble the ingredients. The additional hour of refrigeration is recommended but not included in the preparation time.
Enjoy your delightful Ambrosia Waldorf Salad! π½οΈππππ₯₯
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Ambrosia Waldorf Salad (per serving, approximately 1 cup):
- Calories: Around 250-300 calories.
- Protein: 2-4 grams.
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 30-35 grams.
- Sugar: About 20-25 grams, primarily from natural fruit sugars and added sweeteners.
- Fiber: 3-4 grams, mainly from fruit and coconut.
- Fat: 15-20 grams, largely from the nuts and dairy product used for dressing.
- Saturated Fat: 5-8 grams.
- Cholesterol: 10-15 mg (if using sour cream or yogurt).
- Sodium: 10-20 mg (low in sodium).
- Vitamins and Minerals: Ambrosia Waldorf Salad is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium due to the inclusion of fruits like pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Health Information:
- Ambrosia Waldorf Salad can be a nutritious choice as it includes various fruits, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
- The nuts in the salad, such as pecans or walnuts, provide healthy fats and protein.
- Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream can increase the protein content and add probiotics, which are good for gut health.
- While it contains added sweeteners, you can control the amount to reduce sugar content if desired.
- Be mindful of portion size as it’s easy to consume more calories than intended, especially if it’s served as a dessert.
Remember that the specific nutrition facts may vary based on the recipe and ingredients used, so it’s a good idea to check the labels of the products you use and adjust the quantities accordingly to meet your dietary preferences and requirements.
