Salad Recipes: Granny's Men-Like-It Salad

lime congealed salad with pineapple

For as far back as I can remember, my Grandmother always made a special dish she called “men-like-it salad.” No matter what the special occasion was – Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas – her men-like-it salads always graced the table. Actually, she sometimes called it “men-love-it salad.” It contains lime gelatin, cream cheese, pineapple, nuts, and whipped topping. Sometimes Granny would add chopped celery to the mix, too, but I like it better without the celery. I never did get Granny’s recipe while she was still alive, and when I searched for a recipe online for men-like-it salad, I came up empty. I know this was what other folks in the South called the salad, but perhaps since this is an old-fashioned recipe, most of the cooks who made it have all died out.

Anyway, I was really craving some of Granny’s lime salad a few years back, so I had to do a little experimenting with the amounts of ingredients. I finally perfected it, and I made the dish for our Thanksgiving dinner last month.

This salad is really delicious, and it could also serve as a light dessert. I used sugar-free Jell-o and sugar-free Cool Whip in mine. I haven’t tried using low fat or reduced-fat cream cheese, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. That would really cut down on the calories!

This salad recipe would also be a nice addition to your Christmas dinner. I suggest adding a little green food coloring to give the salad a darker green color. If you want the green to show, just cut the congealed salad into squares and top each square with a dollop of whipped topping or whipped cream. Add a maraschino cherry on top for a very “Christmas-y” treat!

Men-Like-It Salad Recipe

What you’ll need:

2 20-ounce cans crushed pineapple

2 large packages lime Jell-o

2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened

4 cups boiling water

Large container Cool Whip

Chopped or broken pecans

Maraschino cherries (optional)

Instructions: Pour crushed pineapple, with juice, in a 13 x 9-inch dish. place gelatin mix and cream cheese in a blender or food processor. Add boiling water to blender and blend until mixture is smooth. Pour cream cheese – gelatin mixture over pineapple and stir. Cover and refrigerate until firm.

When gelatin is set, spread top with Cool Whip and sprinkle with nuts. Garnish with cherries, if desired.

Comments

G on December 27, 2011:

Apparently in the junior league's cookbook, they called it "pink fluff."

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on December 17, 2011:

Jello salads were very popular when I was growing up. Never had this version. Cute name! Am sure your men are happy that you ressurected this recipe. Thanks!

Donna Cosmato from USA on December 14, 2011:

Mmm...sounds good! I'll let you know how much my men like it!

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 13, 2011:

I'm not sure if I'd call it a salad, but it's very pretty! Perfect for the holidays.

Cousin Fudd on December 13, 2011:

Got to be good if grandma made it.

Angela Blair from Central Texas on December 13, 2011:

I have a very similar recipe from my Granny's old cookbook -- apparently this was a favorite of that generation -- and this one, too! I've always loved it. Thanks for bringing it to mind and sharing your grandma's version. Granny just called hers "pineapple salad" -- not very original? Best, Sis

katrinasui on December 13, 2011:

Looks yummy. I will give it a try.

Rosa Marchisella from Canada on December 13, 2011:

My Ex-MIL calls this simply, "Jello Salad" and it was a staple at EVERY family function because it was one of the only two salads the men would eat ... The other was a "Taco Salad" which is another decadent treat :-)

anglnwu on December 13, 2011:

Looks yummy. Interesting preparation too.

Shelly Epperly from Vancouver,WA on December 13, 2011:

Should be the women like it salad LOL that sounds yummy will be trying it soon.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 12, 2011:

Rachelle, thanks for stopping by!

Rachelle Williams from Tempe, AZ on December 12, 2011:

Men Like It Salad - I'm down for it. This sounds like a delicious recipe.

Great Hub.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on December 12, 2011:

Lol, workingmom - works for me! I sometimes make the orange version of this salad, too, especially for Thanksgiving.

Mishael Austin Witty from Kentucky, USA on December 12, 2011:

I've never had this, but my MIL used to make an orange salad with mandarin oranges and orange Jell-o. She just called it "orange salad," but my husband really does like it, so I guess that could be another form of "Men-Like-It-Salad." :-)