Tasty frog eye salad

Frogeye salad (also frog-eye salad or frog’s eye salad) is a type of sweet pasta salad (dessert salad) made with small, round acini di pepe pasta, whipped topping and egg yolks. Fruit, such as mandarin oranges and pineapples, are often mixed in, and it is sometimes topped with marshmallows, all of which contribute to the sweetness while adding variety.The humorous name obviously refers to the pasta looking like frog’s eyes. The salad has a strong regional presence in Utah and surrounding states

Frog eye salad is a unique fruit salad that originated in the state of Utah. The fruit salad has long been a regional favorite and thanks to the Internet, it has quickly regained popularity. It’s an excellent fruit salad to make for a holiday meal

Imprimer la recette

Ingrédients

  

• 1 cup acini di pepe pasta (or pastina)
• 2 (8-ounce) cans crushed pineapple 
• 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 (11-ounce) cans mandarin orange segments (well-drained)
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows (divided use)
• 1 (8-ounce) tub frozen whipped topping (thawed)
• Optional: maraschino cherries (for garnish)
• Optional: whipped cream (or more whipped topping, for garnish)
• Optional: toasted coconut (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Gather the ingredients. 
  
• Place a mesh strainer over a medium bowl and drain the pineapple chunks and crushed pineapple. Press gently to remove as much moisture as possible. Transfer the drained pineapple solids to a separate bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the pineapple juice. Set the pineapple and pineapple juice aside.
  
• Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook as directed on the package, or until tender (about 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the brand). Pour the pasta into a colander and run cold water over it until completely cooled. Set the pasta aside to drain thoroughly.
  
• In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and flour; whisk until well blended. Whisk in 1 cup of the reserved pineapple juice along with the egg and salt.
  
• Place the pan over medium heat and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until thickened, whisking constantly. Stir in the lemon juice and refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes, or until chilled.
  
• In a large bowl, combine the cold pasta and the chilled custard; stir to blend.
  
• Add the well-drained fruit along with the coconut and about 3/4 cup of the miniature marshmallows. Stir gently to combine. Fold in the whipped topping.
  
• Transfer the frog eye salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved miniature marshmallows.
  
• Serve in dessert dishes and garnish as desired. 

Notes

• To make toasted coconut, place a dry skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/4 cup of flaked coconut and cook while stirring constantly until the coconut is lightly browned. Remove the browned coconut to a plate immediately to halt the cooking.