You've Got To Taste This

You say toMAHto, I say toMAYto, it's all the same.  Whether you call this recipe Ambrosia, Five Cup Salad or even something different altogether, it's pretty much the same thing.  I remember first discovering Ambrosia as a child, devouring it by the bowlful, but for the life of me, I cannot remember if my mom used to make it or how else I first got introduced to it.  I should really find out.  No matter, I do distinctly remember the taste, and ever since I started playing in the kitchen myself, it's become an easy fall-back treat when I don't feel like thinking.

True to its name, Five Cup Salad is a cup of each of the following: mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, sour cream, coconut and mini marshmallows.  Mix it all together and eat.  Over the years, I've changed it a bit to suit my tastes, which makes perfect sense since, surprisingly enough, I'm the only one in our house that will eat it.  I use about 1/4 cup of coconut instead of the full cup, and add in about a 1/4 cup of maraschino cherries.  I like the red pop it gives it and I've never been one to shy away from maraschino cherries.

Nowadays, I make it a few times a year, mostly if my mom or sister are coming over, because they like it as well.  If I made it any other time, I'd surely devour the whole thing myself.  And that can't be good.  Or can it?  No, probably not.

What fond food memory have you carried from childhood to adulthood?  Do tell!