Pistachio Ambrosia

This dessert has so many names we call it Pistachio Ambrosia, it's also referred to as Watergate salad, Pistachio Delight or Shut the Gate salad, Green Goop, Ambrosia Fluff, Green Goddess salad, Green Fluff, or Green Stuff.

There are also several written stories about this salad and it's origin and over the years has been debunked.

Regardlesswhere the recipe was started it's a delicious dessert or side dish made with instant pudding, canned fruit and whipped topping.

I love taking this to picnics and pot lucks and many times have just used vanilla instant pudding instead of pistachio for those who may have nut allergies and tinted it green or the theme of the party.

My kids go crazy over this fluffy sweet fruity salad and long into their adulthood, it's still a favorite and most asked for during the holidays.

This basic recipe is great for baby /gender reveal parties since you can tint it to the color of plain vanilla pudding which makes a fun theme.

I make this more often in the summer months, I even tell the kids at a picnic it's a nonmelting delicious ice cream the little ones just love this but they don't like coconut so I leave it out.

Again a recipe is a guideline, change and adapt away, use fresh fruits, more marshmallows no nut more nuts, just get creative, it's the easiest dessert ever made in minutes.

If you love no-bake no-cook dessert you have to try my Strawberry Cream Pie made with fresh fruits, it's another adaptable recipe and so delicious.

Just scroll down the recipe card for these easy printable instructions hit print and all the ads will disappear..

Make this easy dessert all year round

Ambrosia is the perfect dessert for green-themed holidays just add fruit cocktail, pistachio pudding and maraschino cherries for a Christmas fluffy Ambrosia.

We love making this for St. Patrick's Day or Christmas it's already green with pistachio instant pudding but if you use plain vanilla instant pudding you can tint this to any party theme you like!

Don't forget to check our additional fruit suggestions, we have made this with fresh or canned fruits many times and perfect for a summertime picnic outing.

A few ingredients and no time this dessert will be on your table.

This recipe is step by step so check out the photos below and see how easy this is to make.

Ingredients You Will Need Scroll all the way to the bottom for exact measurements on the recipe card

• pistachio instant pudding
• non-dairy whipped topping
• mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and fruit cocktail
• coconut
• Optional: pistachio nuts shelled, more coconut and maraschino cherries

Tips:

• for those who have nut allergies use french vanilla instant pudding
• this can be tinted with food coloring to match the theme of the party IE baby gender reveals, Christmas red or green, St. Patrick's Day in green, Blue for Patriot holidays
• You can use all fresh fruits and add the water to the pineapple around 1/2 cup instead of canned
• Finely chopping the coconut resulted in a better-textured to eat if adding to the dessert
• Whipped cream can be used but has to eat right away or it gets watery
• Refrigerating the dessert at least 3 hours before serving
• I love the mini marshmallows so add more than the original recipe calls for you can add less and more fruit if you like

Other Suggestions:

• strawberries sliced
• blueberries
• diced fresh pineapples
• fresh peaches
• use sunflower seeds for nut allergies
• fresh cherries

Other Recipes T Try

Oreo Truffles
Peanut Butter Krispies Eggs
Rum Balls
Buckeye Bars
Pistachio Cake
Pistachio Biscotti

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The Watergate Names and Mystery of Origin

The rumors and written recipes on this salad said that Watergate salad was invented by a sous chef at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C., articles have been called a myth as to where it got its name.

Growing up Mom called this Pistachio Ambrosia during the 1970s so I am not sure of any of these myths and rumors to be true to the origin and it's name of Watergate Salad.

It is in articles and many writings (and no one has ever tracked down the source of these rumors) that Kraft originally invented the recipe and it was just a myth that it was because it came during the Nixon Presidency over that scandal.

Watergate salad took off in popularity during and after the presidential scandal which shares the same name.

Although this Watergate shared the same name it can also be referred to the USA and things that have been occurring for the last 12 years of constant blame game and situations that arrive.

We've tweaked the recipe and although made a few changes, this salad remains popular and very fitting for today's Democracy in the U.S.

Pistachio Ambrosia

Yield: 8

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

Perfect for bringing to a picnic, parties, and or any event. This non-dairy creamy marshmallow fluffy dessert with fruit will be a hit no matter when you serve it's so fast and easy to make!

Ingredients

• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix(dry) or use instant vanilla to tint with food coloring for the party themed colors
• 1 -8 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
• 1 - 8 ounce can crushed pineapple with juice
• 1 can of fruit cocktail drained
• 3 cups  miniature marshmallow
• 1 8 - ounce container non-dairy whipped topping see footnotes
• 1 cup of coconut 
• Note: We prefer to add coconut as a garnish instead of in this dessert 
• Optional garnish:  maraschino cherries blotted dry, chopped pistachios, and coconut

Instructions

1. Drain the mandarin oranges and fruit cocktail in a colander.
2. In a large bowl add the crushed pineapple with juice and pour in the packet of pistachio instant pudding. 
3. Mix all together until well combined.
4. Add the rest of the fruit ( with the coconut if using).
5. Fold in the non-dairy whipped topping and marshmallows.
6. Pour into a see-through bowl if preferred.
7. Garnish with cherries, pistachios, and coconut.
8. Chill around 3 hours before serving.

Notes:

This recipe can be doubled. Real heavy cream sweetened with sugar can be used but will have to be eaten the same day as the next day it gets watery. Also, for food safety do not bring to an outdoor picnic using real cream.

Calories

368.00

Fat (grams)

18.04

Sat. Fat (grams)

10.28

Carbs (grams)

50.40

Fiber (grams)

5.53

Net carbs

44.87

Sugar (grams)

36.36

Protein (grams)

5.39

Sodium (milligrams)

200.25

Cholesterol (grams)

0.14

https://www.whatscookinitalianstylecuisine.com/2012/03/pistachio-ambrosia-with-video-happy-st.html

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fruit salad recipes, Watergate salad recipes, pistachio pudding recipes, instant pudding recipes, marshmallow recipes, dessert recipes

American, French

Created using The Recipes Generator

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Don't Forget To Try Some Of My Other Pistachio Recipes!

Shamrock Cookies

Pistachio Ambrosia

Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Pistachio Cake with Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

Halloween Pistachio Witches Fingers

Pistachio and Amaretto Fudge

Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2021.