The Morbid Me: Weight Loss Surgery Recipe: Ambrosia Salad

This is the holiday recipe that I get the most requests to ‘slim down’. The traditional version is a very fattening, high carb, high sugar dish that everyone loves, so the challenge is to keep the signature flavors but eliminate the higher carb components.

We keep the pineapple tidbits as there is no substitute for the flavor of delicious pineapple, but make sure you use unsweetened tidbits or the new Splenda ones. We omit mandarin orange pieces as they are packed in heavy sugar syrup; but we keep the familiar orange flavor by adding sugar free marmalade, then adding an orange burst with freshly grated orange zest. The cheese blend adds the familiar creamy tangy component, but we lightened it. Fat free cheeses just don’t taste that good, have poor texture, and add additional carbs, so we go a middle route with reduced fat and whipped dairy products. The dessicated unsweetened coconut is more commonplace in grocery stores ethnic sections, but you can also use unsweetened frozen grated coconut as well. Unfortunately my manufacturer of sugar free marshmallows doesnt make them anymore, otherwise this would be perfect.

I think you will be very happy to serve this salad to your family on a holiday table or to take to an office party or event. It is simple to double or make as a multiple for a large gathering.

Makes twelve, ¼ cup servings
Calories 61, Fat 4gr, Carbs 3gr, Protein 3gr

One, 20-ounce can Libby's Splenda Sweetened Pineapple Tidbits or Dole in natural juice
4 ounces whipped cream cheese
4 ounces reduced fat sour cream
4 ounces part skim milk ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla Jell-O Instant Pudding powder
¼ cup Smuckers Sugar Free Orange Marmalade
Freshly grated zest of one orange
¼ cup Nature Sweet Crystals or Splenda Granular
½ cup dessicated unsweetened coconut or frozen unsweetened coconut

Drain pineapple tidbits and place on folded paper towels to absorb excess juice. Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream and ricotta until smooth. Slowly add pudding mix while whisking and blend until creamy. Beat in marmalade, orange rind, Nature Sweet and coconut; then fold in drained pineapple. Cover and chill until serving time.

Before & After is a journal of Susan's own inspirational story, where she shares her ups and downs, her tips and techniques, but mostly it's a book about hope for anyone who has a serious weight problem.