Elegant Port Wine Cherry Delight Salad
This delightful salad combines the sweet richness of dark sweet cherries with the complex flavors of port wine, creating a luxurious side dish perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions. Inspired by a cherished recipe from Southern Living's 1986 Annual Recipes, this elegant gelatin salad is not only pleasing to the eye but also tantalizing to the taste buds. The creamy mayonnaise dressing, brightened with fresh orange juice and zest, adds a refreshing contrast to the sweet and tart flavors of the salad. Serve it at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive celebration for a touch of sophistication and nostalgic charm.
N/A
Servings
122.5
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
dark sweet cherries
1 (16 ounce) can (pitted, undrained)
black cherry gelatin
2 (3 ounce) packages (none)
boiling water
1 cup (none)
port wine
3/4 cup (none)
unsweetened applesauce
1 cup (none)
pecans
1/2 cup (chopped)
mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 cup (none)
orange juice
3 tablespoons (none)
port wine
1 tablespoon (none)
grated orange rind
1 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
For the Salad: Drain the dark sweet cherries, reserving the syrup. If necessary, add enough water to the syrup to make 3/4 cup of liquid. Cut the cherries in half and set them aside.
2
In a mixing bowl, dissolve both packages of black cherry gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water until fully dissolved. Stir in the reserved cherry liquid along with the port wine and mix thoroughly.
3
Once combined, fold in the unsweetened applesauce until mixed well. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator until it reaches a consistency similar to unbeaten egg whites.
4
Gently fold in the halved cherries and chopped pecans into the gelatin mixture. Spoon this colorful mixture into a lightly oiled 4-cup mold and smooth the top.
5
Refrigerate the mold for several hours or until the salad is firm enough to hold its shape when unmolded.
6
For the Mayonnaise Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or salad dressing), orange juice, additional port wine, and grated orange rind. Stir until well blended. Chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
7
To serve, unmold the salad onto a serving platter and slice into wedges. Serve alongside the chilled mayonnaise dressing for a delicious contrast.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
16.25g
Carbs
2g
Protein
12.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Elegant Port Wine Cherry Delight Salad?
It is a luxurious gelatin-based side dish that combines dark sweet cherries with the complex flavors of port wine, served with a creamy orange-infused mayonnaise dressing.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a cherished dish found in Southern Living's 1986 Annual Recipes.
What kind of cherries should be used?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce can of dark sweet cherries, pitted and undrained.
How many packages of gelatin are required?
You will need two 3-ounce packages of black cherry gelatin.
How do I prepare the cherry syrup?
Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup. If necessary, add enough water to the reserved syrup to make exactly 3/4 cup of liquid.
How much port wine is used in the salad base?
The salad mixture requires 3/4 cup of port wine.
When do I add the applesauce?
Fold in one cup of unsweetened applesauce after dissolving the gelatin and stirring in the cherry liquid and wine.
What is the target consistency before adding fruit and nuts?
Chill the gelatin mixture until it reaches a consistency similar to unbeaten egg whites before folding in the cherries and pecans.
What kind of nuts are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of chopped pecans for added texture.
What size mold is needed for this salad?
A 4-cup mold is used for this recipe.
How should the mold be prepared?
The 4-cup mold should be lightly oiled to ensure the salad unmolds cleanly.
How long should the salad refrigerate?
Refrigerate the salad for several hours or until it is firm enough to hold its shape when unmolded.
What are the ingredients for the Mayonnaise Dressing?
The dressing is made from mayonnaise or salad dressing, orange juice, port wine, and grated orange rind.
How much port wine goes into the dressing?
One tablespoon of port wine is added to the mayonnaise dressing mixture.
How long should the dressing chill?
The dressing should chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to properly meld.
How do you serve the finished dish?
Unmold the salad onto a platter, slice it into wedges, and serve alongside the chilled dressing.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 122.5 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
The salad contains 5 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 16.25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
This salad provides 2 grams of protein per serving.
How much sugar is in the dish?
There are 12.5 grams of sugar per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Yes, it is specifically described as a sophisticated dish perfect for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What provides the citrus flavor in the dressing?
The citrus notes come from 3 tablespoons of orange juice and 1 tablespoon of grated orange rind.
Can I use salad dressing instead of mayonnaise?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1 cup of mayonnaise or 1 cup of salad dressing.
Should the applesauce be sweetened?
No, the recipe specifies using 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
How should the cherries be cut?
The cherries should be cut in half before being folded into the gelatin mixture.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe contains 10 distinct ingredients.
How much boiling water is needed to dissolve the gelatin?
One cup of boiling water is required to dissolve the black cherry gelatin.
Is the salad served whole or sliced?
It is typically unmolded and then sliced into wedges for serving.
What makes the salad visually appealing?
The combination of the dark black cherry gelatin, halved cherries, and the contrast of the creamy orange-tinted dressing makes it very elegant.