Recipe: Cranberry Congealed Salad From Southern Living

Cranberry Congealed Salad
From Southern Living 2002

1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
3 (3-ounce) packages raspberry-flavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 cups cranberry juice, chilled
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 celery ribs, diced (1 cup)
2/3 cup chopped pecans,toasted
Lettuce leaves
Pickled peaches
Fresh mint sprigs
Garnish: chopped pecans, toasted

Process cranberries in a food processor 30 seconds or until coarsely chopped, stopping once to scrape down sides. Stir together cranberries and sugar in a bowl; set aside.

Stir together gelatin and 2 cups boiling water in a large bowl 2 minutes or until gelatin dissolves. Add juice, and chill 30 minutes or until consistency of unbeaten egg whites.

Stir in cranberry mixture, pineapple, celery, and pecans. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 10-cup Bundt pan; cover and chill 8 hours or until firm.

Unmold onto a lettuce-lined platter. Fill center of ring with pickled peaches and fresh mint sprigs. Garnish, if desired.

Frosted Cranberry Congealed Salad Parfaits: Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Fold in 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed. Layer parfait glasses evenly with leftover salad and cream cheese mixture.

Yield: Makes 12 servings