Retro Pistachio and Pineapple salad - Watergate Salad

Please make this for your Thanksgiving dinner! You won't regret it!

All you need is:

1 pkg. pistachio instant pudding mix
1 lg. can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1 lg. container Cook Whip
Mix and serve!

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Learn how to support the show here:

This recipe was found in a 1979 "Typical Army Wives" cookbook from Ft. Richardson, Alaska.

The poem in the front of the book reads:

I'm here to tell the story
of a very unique life.
It's about the ups and downs
of a typical Army wife.

Alone again; he's in the field.
I think I've got the flue.
The toilet's overflowing,
and the kids are begging "zoo!"

I tried to buy the groceries today,
but the car just wouldn't start.
That's OK, it's pay day,
and I hate to wait for a cart.

What do you mean, "Orders again?"
We've just got settled in!
I'm not through hanging pictures
in the closet we call our den.

The kids and I have friends here -
Oh, Lord, I hate to bitch.
It's something to look forward to.
Honey, where IS Fort Rich?

He couldn't have said Alaska.
I must have heard him wrong.
I'm not prepared for snow and ice
and darkness all day long.

Roll up the rugs; throw out the trash -
It's time to pull up stakes.
We'll head up through the Yukon -
see mountains, bears, ice lakes.

Good-bye to friends and family,
all things we hold so dear.
Then he dresses in his Class A's
and I wipe away a tear.

The kids and I will follow him.
It's a gypsy kind of life.
But I'm so proud to do it -
I'm a typical Army wife.

[Eric-kfdy]

My family rules were this salad or banana pudding were always served with the main meal, never as a dessert ... we counted them as vegetables.
I once took this to a potluck of "fussy" friends who turned up there noses until they tried it and emptied the bowl.
Another great video - Thank You.

[hekatejayne]

I am all about dessert masquerading about as SALAD.

Also. It must have those maraschino cherries.

[heathergoinbatty]

My grandma always made Watergate Cake for every holiday. Now that she has passed away I’m the one that makes it. It’s one of my families favorites.

[mollysmith]

We always had Watergate salad for big family get togethers, not just Thanksgiving. It is awesome at a 4th of July picnic too. My grandkids don't like nuts so I haven't made it recently. Great memories of this recipe, thank you for sharing it with everybody.

[hollyobrien]

My in-laws make a jello salad for the holidays. It is green jello with shredded carrots and sliced celery. They top it with a dollop of mayo.

[Iorekbyrnison]

I am also a gen-xer, and my mom always made this at holidays. I loved it, and haven't had it in years. She also made Waldorf salad (a whole different, disgusting beast) that no one liked, but was TRADITION, goshdarnit. LOL. Thanks for the memories! Love your channel.

[mollysmith]

2nd comment...after consideration, I am adding this to the menu tomorrow (Thanksgiving). Going to leave out the nuts in case I can get the grandbabies to try it and going to add extra marshmallows because ...marshmallows! Thanksgiving didn't happen for me last year due to a grieving heart so this year it is All. The. Sides. All. The. Calories. This year there will be thanks given for memories and rejoicing in them. Happy Thanksgiving ladies...I hope you have wonderful feasts!

[jenniferaaparo]

My Grandma always made jello with fruit and Hawaiian Salad...which is Ambrosia without the maraschino cherries. I am making it for Thanksgiving. Heck yes! My Mom made this last Easter and called it Watergate Salad. I love it!

[chaucernerd]

I love Watergate salad. So doggone delicious.

[Aragedie]

My MIL makes an amazing concoction called Heavenly Hash (canned pineapple tidbits, halved grapes, crushed pecans, sliced bananas, homemade whipped cream) it's the best and we fight over it every holiday 😂❤

[EastSider]

I would totally serve Watergate Salad with my heirloom turkey and butternut squash. People love it.

[elisajohnson]

You won me over! Gonna bring back the fluff! 😁 I feel like my grandma used to make this a gazillion years ago for my mom and her siblings, so I am gonna bring it and not even tell her and see if it brings back memories of her childhood ❤️

[pam]

I love the easiness of this recipe. It is quick and easy enough to bring with you and make at someone else's house 😉. You guys are so cute and just affirmed what I said 😂 because I am watching while writing this. Thanks girls. I'm sorry I haven't gotten my recipes off to you yet. Have a wonderful day!

[jjo]

Ambrosia was what was on our 'special' tables. I'll have to try this. Thanks. : )

[alicefielding]

My grandmother on my dad's side used to make this, and my mom liked it anyway! Maybe if she and I are alone at Christmas this year, I will make a big batch and we will sit there and eat it all.

[martharoberts]

Home run, Girls! Sounds like all your viewers (minus one) will have this salad on their Thanksgiving table. 🤗

[traynada]

We make Waldorf salad in my family as well as ambrosia and green fluff. Had many versions of them all. Once year my mom made one with cranberries and apples and nuts ... it was really good.

[stanelder]

My mom made a Watergate cake. It is very very good""

[whoopsydaisy]

Watergate Salad is one of my favorite things ever. I make it at every special occasion and always make sure there's enough for breakfast the next day. Ive never used that much pineapple though, I just use a standard sized can.
Ambrosia is okay but I think Watergate is much better.

[sharonsmith]

love Watergate salad! my mom used to make it all the time! love airforce brats too, my hometown is Warner Robins and my parents both worked for the airforce for over 30 years