Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad is a delightful and classic dessert salad that has a rich history. Given your interest in food and beverage and collecting recipes, I’ll provide you with all the requested details:
What is Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad?
Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad is a sweet and creamy fruit salad that features tiny pasta pearls called “Acini di Pepe.” It’s known for its creamy texture, colorful appearance, and the combination of various fruits and coconut.
History:
The exact origin of Ambrosia Salad is a bit unclear, but it’s believed to have Southern American roots. It became popular in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name “Ambrosia” is a reference to the food of the gods in Greek mythology, signifying its heavenly taste.
Components:
The key components of Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad include:
- Acini di Pepe pasta: Tiny round pasta beads that resemble peppercorns.
- Fruit: Typically, you’ll find a mix of fruits like mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, and sometimes grapes.
- Mini marshmallows: These add sweetness and a soft texture to the salad.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Adds a tropical flair and extra sweetness.
- Sour cream and/or whipped cream: The creamy base that binds everything together.
- Sugar: Used to sweeten the dressing.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a touch of flavor to the dressing.
Steps to Prepare Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad:
Here’s a simplified recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Acini di Pepe pasta
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, halved
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Cook the Acini di Pepe pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool them down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, drained pineapple, drained mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the fruit and pasta mixture. Gently fold everything together until well coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours or until it’s well chilled. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Time Needed:
Preparation time can vary, but it typically takes around 15-20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and another 2 hours for chilling in the refrigerator.
Enjoy your Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad, and I hope this detailed information helps you in your recipe collection! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):
- Calories: 290-350 calories
- Total Fat: 10-15g
- Saturated Fat: 7-10g
- Cholesterol: 20-30mg
- Sodium: 45-65mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 45-55g
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3g
- Sugars: 30-40g
- Protein: 2-3g
Please note that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients and proportions used in the recipe. The serving size is typically about 1 cup.
Health Information:
-
Caloric Content: Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad is relatively high in calories due to the presence of sugar, coconut, and creamy components. It’s considered a dessert salad and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
-
Sugar: This salad can be high in added sugars, primarily from the marshmallows, maraschino cherries, and sweetened coconut. High sugar consumption can contribute to weight gain and other health issues. Consider using alternatives like unsweetened coconut or reducing the amount of sugar if you’re concerned about sugar intake.
-
Fat: While it contains some fat from the coconut and dairy components, it’s not excessively high in fat. However, if you’re watching your fat intake, you can opt for lower-fat versions of sour cream or whipped cream.
-
Fiber: The salad doesn’t provide a significant amount of dietary fiber, which is essential for digestive health. You can boost the fiber content by adding more fruits like berries or kiwi.
-
Protein: The protein content in this salad is relatively low. To make it more balanced, consider adding a source of protein like Greek yogurt or chopped nuts.
-
Portion Control: Given its sweet and creamy nature, it’s important to practice portion control when enjoying Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad. A small serving can be a delightful treat, but large portions can contribute to excess calorie and sugar intake.
As with any dish, it’s essential to enjoy Acini Di Pepe Ambrosia Salad in moderation and as part of an overall balanced diet to maintain good health.