Is Ambrosia Southern?

Yes, y'all. It's quite Southern. But it's also a very Midwestern thing, and some posit that the fluffy "salad" was first created in Missouri. Also? The gods and goddesses of Roman mythology loved ambrosia, too. So the origins are a little foggy. But fancy tables across the South have been piling bowls high with sweet ambrosia for more than 150 years. It initially was seen as a luxurious food, as it utilized ingredients that were expensive, hard to find. The industrial revolution and technological/mechanical advancements made food processing easier and more accessible, therefore making ambrosia and its various sweet elements more widely enjoyable.

Does ambrosia have to have Cool Whip?

Only if you want it to! But I have to say, it totally makes it. It's just so delicious with the Cool Whip, that I can't leave it out. But, I combine it with sour cream AND vanilla yogurt for a truly delicious binder that you will want to be alone with. It's face-plant good. But don't take it just from me - make it with the stuff and see what you think!

How long does ambrosia last in the refrigerator?

Ambrosia will keep nicely in the fridge, covered, for 5 or 6 days. Never lasts that long in my house, though. We eat it way too fast.

Can you freeze ambrosia?

You can freeze ambrosia for about 3 months, though I'd probably just avoid that if possible. It will keep though, just ensure it's in a freezer-safe container (bag is best). The consistency might be compromised a little bit. But if you allow it to come back up to fridge temp, or even room temp and give it a good stir - it should be good to go.

What is the difference between ambrosia and ambrosia salad?

When served as a dessert, it is simply referred to as ambrosia. If it is going to be served on the dinner table, along with the main course and side dishes, then it is simply referred to as, “ambrosia salad period.”

How to Make Ambrosia (the amazing fruit salad you never knew you always wanted)

The Best Vanilla Ambrosia

Print Recipe

(It’s the best to me, guys). This is the most delicious combination of ambrosia ingredients I’ve ever tried, but these things are personal – subjective. The Cool Whip + sour cream + vanilla yogurt make the very best “dressing” for this nostalgia fruit salad (to me), and the amounts I’ve listed here are to be tweaked as you like. Some people love nuts in their ambrosia, or maraschino cherries. I personally do not, but adding those in is perfectly fine, if you like.

Author: Lauren McDuffie
Yield: make about 3 cups 1x
Category: Salads

Ingredients

Units Scale

20 ounces crushed pineapple (in pineapple juice, no sugar added) drained
15 ounces mandarin oranges, halved or not (canned, not fresh)
1 heaping cup Cool Whip (or to taste)
1/2 cup Sour Cream (or to taste)
1/3 cup Vanilla Greek yogurt
2/3 cup to 1 cup unsweetened coconut (toasting is nice here, but optional – see notes!)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (optional but delish)

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Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate until chilled. Taste and play around with the amounts of things as you like. This isn’t strict! Your vanilla ambrosia will keep for five to 6 days, covered, in the fridge.

Notes

I like what toasting the coconut flakes does to the flavor of the whole dish, but it’s definitely optional. To toast your coconut, just put it in a dry skillet over medium heat and allow it to gently brown and toast, stirring it occasionally for a few minutes. It happens pretty quickly.

Keywords: Ambrosia

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