Lands Cheese Salad is a vintage American gelatin salad that harkens back to mid-20th-century cuisine, particularly popular in the 1950s and 1960s. During that era, gelatin-based dishes gained widespread popularity due to their colorful presentation and ability to combine sweet and savory flavors in unique ways. This dish, combining lemon jello, cheese, pineapple, and cream, may seem unusual today but reflects a time of culinary creativity in American households. Often served at potlucks, church dinners, or festive luncheons, it's a nostalgic bite of retro Americana. The salad is topped with a dollop of mayonnaise and presented on crisp lettuce, offering a rich contrast of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon jello
- 1 pint water
- ½ lb cheese (grated)
- 8.25 oz crushed pineapple (small can, drained)
- ½ cup cream (whipped)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- lettuce leaves
- mayonnaise (for serving)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Jello Base
- Dissolve the lemon jello in 1 pint of boiling water.
- Let it sit at room temperature until it begins to thicken (about 30–45 minutes).
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
- Once the jello starts to set but is not fully firm, whip it lightly.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream, drained crushed pineapple, grated cheese, and sugar.
Step 3: Chill
- Pour the mixture into a mold or serving dish.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours until fully set.
Step 4: Serve
- Scoop or slice the set salad and place it on lettuce leaves.
- Top with a small spoonful of mayonnaise for a creamy finish.
Tips
- Substitute lime Jell-O for lemon for a tangier twist.
- Add chopped pecans or celery for crunch.
- For a lighter version, use whipped topping instead of cream.
- Drain the pineapple thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming runny.
- Serve on lettuce leaves with mayonnaise dressing, as suggested.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Lands Cheese Salad. 1 Box Lemon Jello 1/2 lb Cheese grated. 1 Small can Crush pineapple. 1/2 Cup Cream 1. table spoon shugar. Disolve Jello in 1 pint of boiling water let set untill it gets thick Whip and then add Whipped cream, pineapple grated cheese and shugar Serve on lettis leafe with Mayonas dressing
From Transcription to Instructions
The original recipe is a sweet, shorthand note,dissolve the Jello, let it thicken, whip and add cream, pineapple, cheese and sugar, then serve on lettuce with mayonnaise. Our instructions unpack that just enough to help you cook: we tell you to let the dissolved Jello rest until it begins to thicken (about 30–45 minutes), whip it lightly and gently fold in drained crushed pineapple, whipped cream, grated cheese and sugar, then pour into a mold and chill 2–3 hours before serving on lettuce leaves with a little mayonnaise.
Nutrition
Calories: 2220kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 90mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 0.2mg
