Now, about that flavor combination....

I know there are a lot of dishes that combine flavors in unexpected ways. Fusion-cooking is all the rage, combining Asian and midwestern cooking, or Asian and French. Combinations you might not think of right off the bat, but that are usually interesting and delicious. The recipe that will soon follow is kind of along those lines. I'm sure the ingredients, when tasted as a whole instead of taken individually, blend and meld well into an interesting flavor. I'm just not 100% convinced that they should be blended together. Take a look at this....


Molded Cheese Salad

• 1 package lemon gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup grated cheese
• 1 cup caned crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup sliced stuffed olives
• Fruit Salad Dressing (recipe to follow)

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water and chill until it begins to thicken. Whip until fluffy and fold in next 5 ingredients (heavy cream through stuffed olives). pour into a ring mold and chill until firm. Fill center with dressing. Serves 6

Fruit Salad Dressing

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 T flour
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup hot pineapple juice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 T lemon juice
• 1/2 to 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Mix sugar, flour, and salt together. Add water and blend. Pour into pineapple juice and cook for 10 minutes in a double boiler, stirring frequently. Pour over eggs, stirring rapidly, return to double boiler and cook 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Cool. When ready to serve, thin with plain or whipped cream to desired consistency. Makes 1 1/2 cups dressing.


As I read over the list of ingredients, I find myself mentally nodding in agreement with what's listed. Then I come to the grated cheese. Ok, I can see that. It adds some texture and a sharp flavor in contrast to the jello and pineapple. Its probably along the lines of having a wedge of sharp cheddar with apple pie. I can see that. But the olives? What in the world are stuffed olives (I can only imagine they mean stuffed with pimentos) doing in a fruit salad? That has lemon jello and whipped cream in it? If they were stuffed with cheese, or nuts, I could maybe see that. I just really can't picture or imagine what this tastes like with all these ingredients mixed together. I have a feeling this is another one that I'm going to have to try at some point. Sigh. I wish it weren't so, but I see no other solution....