On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Ambrosia! It's time for a break in the action...time for some down-home, comfort food while you snuggle in your Snuggie and watch Christmas Vacation ("Shitter's Full!" I must have heard that line a hundred times in the last week!) Last week at our quilt meeting Stephanie served Ambrosia, a Southern staple this time of the year, and one of the mister's favorite dishes. Her version was a bit different from ours - but every bit as delicious. I usually make Ambrosia on New Years Day, but this year, we had it with our Christmas breakfast.
Ambrosia can wait for just a bit as you take a gander at one of my very favorite gifts this year...my friend made these for me...my friend does not DO hand-work...so this was new for her but aren't they just beautiful?!? If you don't know, those are two sayings I utter on a daily basis...and she embroidered them onto dish towels for me! I don't know whether to use them or frame them but I am tickled pink to have them! THANK YOU WENDY, aka The Blond Bombshell!
This is a no-recipe-recipe. Start with Mandarin/Satsuma oranges, peeling as many as you need/want. I usually allow for two oranges per person. Add in as much shredded coconut as you want - the more you add the sweeter the Ambrosia - so I always add a lot. Next toss in pomegranate arils...one large pomegranate should suffice (you won't find pomegranate arils in any Southern recipe for Ambrosia but I love them and love the color they add plus it gave the mister something NEW to complain about!) Last, toss in pecan pieces - you can't have an authentic Southern recipe without pecans! Give it all a good toss and serve it up!
Ambrosia was once considered to be "nectar of the Gods"...and I'm certainly not going to argue with that! It's as pretty as it is good - bright and fresh tasting - a nice change from fudge and caramels! If you have leftovers, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate - the coconut and pecans will soften in the refrigerator and the juice from the oranges will mix with everything making this even better the next day!
Around here one can never have enough of a good thing, so we top our Ambrosia with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream...try this one kids - it's dang good and quite possibly the most healthy thing we've had in over a week! It looks so pretty in my grandmother's crystal...she used to click her nails on the rim of her crystal and say, "Same as the White House!" She would have loved Ambrosia - and you will, too!