Thursday, April 11, 2013

Knockoff Banana Strawberry Jello Salad

Knockoff Banana Strawberry Jello Salad Found on a Chinese Buffet is addictive to me.

I love the taste of the bananas with the strawberry.

It's refreshing, and I had to learn to make it at home.

I have to admit I am a big fan of this dessert salad at all the Chinese Buffets.

Every time we go, no matter how stuffed I am, I find room to eat this sugary sweet banana strawberry combination.










Why Make Bananas with Jello (Like the Chinese Buffet)?

  • Easy & Quick:  Thickly sliced bananas, poured into a box of Jello over them,  with very little cooking, and chilled. It’s ready in minutes with almost no effort.
  • Kid-Friendly: The bright red color of Jello, the sweetness of bananas make it fun for kids (and picky eaters) for a delicious sweet combo.
  • Budget Dessert: Uses inexpensive ingredients, yet feels like a special treat you've been cooking all day to make.
  • Nostalgic:  If you’ve ever enjoyed it at a buffet, it brings back those comforting food memories of a sweet dessert and a happy ending.
  • Customizable: You can mix in a variety of fruits or even layer multiple flavors of Jello for a pretty presentation.







Here are some great options that hold their shape and taste refreshing with the sweet, jiggly texture:

  1. Strawberries: Slice fresh ones for a classic combo, as I added in my recipe.
  2. Pineapple (canned, not fresh):  Bright and tangy (just make sure it’s canned if you’re mixing it directly, since fresh pineapple has enzymes that prevent Jello from setting).
  3. Mandarin Oranges: A buffet favorite and super juicy mini orange sections.
  4. Peaches: Fresh or canned peaches pair beautifully with strawberry or peach Jello.
  5. Apples: For crunch, toss in bite-sized cubes with strawberries or bananas.
  6. Grapes: Halved seedless grapes give bursts of sweetness and extra color.
  7. Kiwi or Mango: Tropical flavors that balance another level of color and sweetness.
  8. Note on certain fruits: Fresh pineapple, kiwi, papaya, and mango contain enzymes that can prevent Jello from setting properly unless cooked or canned first.


knockoff banana jello salad, jello banana salad, jello salad
salad, jello recipes, copcat recipes
American, Asian
Yield: 8
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Knockoff Banana Strawberry Jello Salad

Knockoff Banana Strawberry Jello Salad

This is a knockoff banana jello salad often found on Asian buffets as a dessert.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 5 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M

Ingredients

  • Here's how to make this simple jello sauce for your fruit salad! (see notes at the end for different ideas and taste suggestions)
  • You will need:
  • 1 smallest package of strawberry jello
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or 1/2 tablespoon more for a thicker sauce This is medium.)
  • 1 1/2 cups cold water (for thinner results and less thick, add 1/4 cup more water; see note below for alternatives)
  • Assorted fruits: I used 8 medium-sized bananas and 1 quart of strawberries
  • Other fruit suggestions I have tried:
  • Kiwi, seedless grapes, apple slices, blueberries with blue jello, raspberries with raspberry jello, and oranges with orange jello. I am sure you can come up with your favorite combinations.

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized saucepan:
  2. Add the water to the pan, whisk in the cornstarch, and add the sugar.
  3. Boil until thickened, around 3 to 5 minutes. Add the package of strawberry jello, and blend evenly.
  4. Cool the mixture completely on the counter in a glass bowl.
  5. Add sliced bananas.
  6. I also added fresh strawberries to the bowl and kept them in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, or until they were set.
  7. One last note: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the sugar to 1/2 a cup. It will still thicken, just not be as sweet.
  8. This is a very sweet and thick sauce often found in Asian market buffets.
  9. It is not pasty, it's a smooth, clear sauce of medium thickness.
  10. Serve with whipped cream or plain.
  11. NOTE: For a quicker version, use a store-bought strawberry glaze and fill that empty container (the glaze came in) with lemon-lime soda or water. Mix it (that glaze is found in the fruit section in your supermarket), and add your fruits and chill for several hours.

Notes

Here are some great options that hold their shape and taste refreshing with the sweet, jiggly texture:

  1. Strawberries: Slice fresh ones for a classic combo, as I added in my recipe.
  2. Pineapple (canned, not fresh): Bright and tangy (just make sure it’s canned if you’re mixing it directly, since fresh pineapple has enzymes that prevent Jello from setting).
  3. Mandarin Oranges: A buffet favorite and super juicy mini orange sections.
  4. Peaches: Fresh or canned peaches pair beautifully with strawberry or peach Jello.
  5. Apples: For crunch, toss in bite-sized cubes with strawberries or bananas.
  6. Grapes: Halved seedless grapes give bursts of sweetness and extra color.
  7. Kiwi or Mango: Tropical flavors that balance another level of color and sweetness.
  8. Note on certain fruits: Fresh pineapple, kiwi, papaya, and mango contain enzymes that can prevent Jello from setting properly unless cooked or canned first.


Nutrition Facts

Calories

361

Fat (grams)

1 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

0 g

Carbs (grams)

93 g

Fiber (grams)

7 g

Net carbs

86 g

Sugar (grams)

76 g

Protein (grams)

2 g

Sodium (milligrams)

26 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

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