Thursday’s Side Dish: Watergate Salad

Dessert on the side? Why not?

Pistachio flavored whipped cream and marshmallows are the central ingredients of Watergate Salad. It’s a dish that is off-the-wall. The unusual combination of ingredients works as a side salad for hot dogs, for example. This dish has other names: Hawaiian Surprise, Pistachio Delight, Pistachio Salad and Picnic Passion. Kraft sent out the recipe Pistachio Pineapple Delight (in 1975) and an unnamed editor ran the recipe in her column as Watergate Salad. Nobody seems to have been able to establish an official link between the recipe and the Watergate Hotel, which is often believed to have played a role in the recipe's name. Marshmallows, shredded coconut, cut pineapples, and nuts (we used hazelnuts but pecans or walnuts work fine too), are the ingredients dressed in the sweet pistachio dish dressing. It’s almost a knock-out dessert, which is how I sometimes prefer to enjoy it. We recommend adding this side dish to your repertoire because it will throw party guests for a loop (in a good way).


What you will need:

1 large bowl
1 large wooden spoon
Plastic wrap
1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
1 can (20 oz.) can of Crushed Pineapple, drained
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (or walnuts, or pecans)
1 and 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP whipped topping


Preperation and Directions:

Combine marshmallows, dry pudding mix, pineapple, coconut, and nuts in large bowl.
Stir in COOL WHIP. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.