peas at a party

One of the Thanksgiving must-haves in our family is ambrosia. This is not the elegant and sophisticated fresh orange segments and fresh pineapple chunks with a splash of Cointreau and a sprinkle of freshly grated, toasted coconut. This is the raised-in-the-South, goopy, canned fruits with marshmallows, in a sea of sour cream and Cool Whip, then topped with pecans and coconut Ambrosia.

Several years ago, I met a Weight Watchers member who was succeeding on a long and difficult weight loss journey. He had wonderful family support, and he shared a recipe that his brother, a chef, created for his first Weight Watchers Thanksgiving. Now Thanksgiving is definitely a day for Sometime Food, but this is a recipe with all the goopy decadence of the “real thing” without the regrets.

White Chocolate Ambrosia

Serves 8; about 10 minutes hands on; ready in 20 minutes

• 1 (15 oz) can light fruit cocktail
• 1 (15 oz) can pineapple tidbits in juice
• 1 (11 oz) can Mandarin oranges
• 1 (1 oz) pacakge sugar-free white chocolate instant pudding mix
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) fat-free sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 cup fat-free whipped topping

Drain fruits, reserving 3/4 cup liquid. Mix pudding with the reserved juice. Stir in sour cream or yogurt and then fold in the whipped topping. Fold in fruits. Chill at least 10 minutes in the fridge.

Options:

• Add a sliced banana when ready to serve.
• Garnish with toasted coconut, minced maraschino cherries and/or toasted pecans.
• There is enough “dressing” for another 15-oz fruit to stretch the dish to 10 servings.

Per 2/3-cup serving, approximately 116 calories; 0 g. fat; 26 g. carbohydrates; 18 g. sugars; 1.2 g. fiber; 1.3 g. protein

I confess that on Thanksgiving I turn this Anytime Food into a Sometime Food, throwing in mini marshmallows, coconut, and nuts. It’s a Sometimes kind of day.