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DRIFTWOOD SALAD
Here's the recipe for the horseradish, pineapple and lime jello salad from Pensacola's legendary, but long-gone, Driftwood Restaurant.

INGREDIENTS

  • Makes 12 to 15 servings.

    • THE SALAD
  • 1 packet (1/4 oz.) of Knox plain gelatin
  • 1/4 cup of cold water
  • 1 small box (3 oz.) of lemon Jello
  • 1 small box (3 oz.) of lime Jello
  • 1 cup of boiling water
  • 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, do not drain
  • 3 to 6 (or more) tablespoons of horseradish
  • 1 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1 cup of cottage cheese
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of chopped pecans
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped pimientos
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped red cherries

  • THE TOPPING
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of horseradish
  • 3/4 cup of heavy cream, lightly whipped
  • 3/4 cup of sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Coarse-ground horseradish from Silver Spring Foods

This is my favorite prepared horseradish it's made by Silver Spring Foods, Inc., Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SALAD

Using a large bowl add the 1/4 cup of water and sprinkle the unflavored gelatin into the water, let stand for 3 minutes. add the lemon Jello and the lime Jello and one cup of boiling water. Stir until all the gelatin has disolved, three to five minutes. Add the can of undrained pineapple and chill until is is starting to thicken. Meanwhile using another bowl, mix all the other ingredients and then add this mixture to the slightly thickened Jello and pineapple. Mix well and pour into a 9" by 13" baking dish or a 7- to 8-cup mold. Cover and chill three to four hours or overnight.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE TOPPING

Mix well, chill and serve this alongside the salad. Or spread it on top like frosting.

NOTES

Actually you have two recipes here -- the first is my adaptation, the second is the owners official version. The only changes I made were to add more pecans and horseradish.

The Banakas family owned and operated the Driftwood Restaurant in downtown Pensacola for many years. Joan Daughdrill gave me this recipe. Elizabeth "Libba" Dennis gave it to Joan. Roberta Banakas of the Driftwood gave it to Libba, in 1960. It's a favorite with roast turkey and Cajun fried turkey. I am sure it would be great with roast beef as well.

Regarding the horseradish, I personally think the best packaged horseradish is what you find refrigerated in your market's dairy case. The canned horseradish, usually near the mustard counter, can be harsh and unpleasantly bitter. I especially avoid Kraft brand bottled horseradish.

I use a lot of horseradish in this salad. You should, too.

Libbas_recipe

Above is a copy of Libba's original recipe given to her in 1960 by Roberta Banakas. I don't understand the choice of "Cool Whip or sour cream." However another Pensacola version of horseradish salad includes sweetened condensed milk. So perhaps some folks enjoy more sweetness with their horseradish. I don't add any Cool Whip.

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