Pot Luck Winner at Holiday Time

I have found a winner for any potluck occaision and it always results in my bringing home an empty dish after the event is over.  I have used it for over 30 years mainly because it is so simple and inexpensive to make and obviously everyone seems to like it....hence the empty bowl.  So, having made it again for a Christmas potluck this season...here is my Pot Luck Winning recipe:

FRUIT SALAD

This recipe doubles well and I find I double it when serving it for gatherings.

1 Can Fruit Cocktail, drained
1 Can Pineapple Chunks, undrained

Mix Together

Sprinkle One Large Package Vanilla Instant Pudding over the mixture and mix thoroughly.  Let sit in the refrigerator for one hour.

Add 1 Cup Minature marshmallows (the colored ones add festivity to it) and One Cup Cool Whip.  Mix and refrigerate until ready to use.

May make this the day before you need it.  Cover it while in the refrigerator.

That's it.....Enjoy

Cherry Pie

We all need comforting here and there throughout our lifetimes.  We take comfort from friends, family, pets, religion, and even food.  Anyone or anything that helps us feel better.  One of my comforts is cherry pie.
Not just any cherry pie, mind you.  It has to be a certain pie from a recipe I found ages ago.  It is the kind of food that gives you a little bit of bliss with each and every bite.  Time stands still and worries vanish while I enjoy eating a piece of this pie.  It is so good that my son once gave up his pacifier forever, in trade for a whole cherry pie just for himself.  He really enjoyed that pie and never once looked back to find his pacifier.  It is a pie with a crumbly crust.  This crumbly crust makes all the difference in the world.  I have never found a crust of this type that stands up to the goodness of this pie.  In fact, it is so good that I have had to limit myself  to have it only on certain special occasions.  This pie turns up at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, and, if requested, on birthdays at my house.  Here then, is my Cherry Pie Recipe.

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
2 Egg Yolks, slightly beaten
1 Can cherry Pie Filling
3/4 Cup Unsifted Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/3 cup Mayonnaise

Very gently, brush the bottom and sides of the graham cracker crust with the beaten egg yolks.  Place it on a baking sheet and bake in the oven (400 degrees),  3 minutes or until  the crust is lightly browned.


Remove the crust from the oven and pour in the cherry pie filling.

In a bowl, mix  the flour, sugar, and cinnamon.  Use a pastry cutter, to cut in mayonnaise until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle the crumbs over the pie, making sure to cover up all the cherry pie filling.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crumbs are golden brown.

Cool on a rack and then place in the refrigerator for at least a few hours.

Placing a dollop of  ice cream or whipped cream on top of a piece of this pie makes for mighty tasty eating.


I dare anyone to not take comfort while eating this pie.

I have never tried it but I would think Apple Pie Filling would work well with this crust also.

Then, sit back, enjoy the pie, and smile !!