QUICK & EASY MANDARIN ORANGE JELLO SALAD

Quick & Easy Mandarin Orange Jello Salad image

This is SO EASY! It literally takes 10 minutes to prepare...5 if you don't decorate the top. No boiling water necessary! I frequently bring this to potlucks where I rarely have leftovers. I've seen other recipes with additional ingredients, but the simple flavor combination of this recipe always wins rave reviews. I don't...

Provided by Maureen Martin

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1 24 oz carton cottage cheese (i use small curd)
2 3 oz boxes orange-flavored gelatin (or one large box)
4 oz whipped topping (half an 8 oz tub)
2 small cans mandarin orange slices in light syrup, drained (or 1 large can, drained)

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the cottage cheese with the Jello. Mixture will be a little grainy due to undissolved sugar (you can stir it until it dissolves, but I never do and it comes out fine - sugar will usually dissolve during refrigeration, but if it doesn't, it's no big deal).
2. Fold in the whipped topping until evenly incorporated. Don't get too vigorous with this as it's possible to stir out all the loft in the topping.
3. Make sure the oranges are well drained (if you're frugal you can use the juice to flavor/sweeten something else). OPTIONAL - Reserve several orange sections for decoration - (I usually pull out 16 well-formed slices). Next, gently stir the remaining fruit into the Jello mixture until well distributed. Remember, don't over-do it or you'll lose too much loft from the whipped topping and the dish will be runny.
4. Transfer mixture to serving dish, smooth top and (OPTIONAL) arrange reserved orange sections in attractive design (I put a slice at each of the clock numbers, all facing the same direction, plus a "flower" of 4 in the center, usually facing the opposite direction from the numbered slices). Cover; refrigerate. Serve cold.
5. VARIATIONS This can easily be made lower calorie or diabetic friendly by choosing dietetic options for the ingredients. Be forewarned, however, if you use a dietetic product for every option, you will probably be disappointed in the flavor. If you want more of a Dreamsicle flavor, you can add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract.