This salad is so delicious, that you could mistake it for a dessert.  Some people may call it Orange Fluff, but I prefer to call it "a little taste of heaven" and enjoy making it any time throughout the year. 


Mandarin Orange Cottage Cheese Salad

1 (16 oz.) container cottage cheese
1 (6 oz.) packet orange gelatin
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple (drained well)
1 (8 oz.) tub frozen Cool Whip (thawed)
2 (4 oz.) mini bowls mandarin oranges, drained (See *Note)
Additional mandarin oranges, to garnish salad
A sprig of fresh mint, to garnish salad (optional)

In a large serving bowl, thoroughly mix together the cottage cheese and the packet of (dry) gelatin powder.

Now stir in the (well drained) crushed pineapple; mix well.

Thoroughly fold in the Cool Whip.

Gently fold in the mandarin oranges.

Place the bowl (uncovered) in the refrigerator, until the salad becomes firm to the touch. Within a few hours.

Before serving, garnish salad with a few whole mandarin slices, and possibly a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. *Note: The mandarin oranges I use to make this salad, come in those 4-ounce mini bowls (4 to a pack), which you can purchase at most grocery stores. I prefer them over the (canned) mandarin oranges.