Food and Recipes Fruits Citrus Mama Mae's Ambrosia Salad Recipe 4.5 (2) 2 Reviews Who knew that this delicious and simple dish was FAT FREE and VEGAN? All we knew was that ambrosia salad was refreshing and so simple to make. This is what one would call a "ladies luncheon" dish. It's almost lacy and delicate in its presentation. Most of the men in the family wouldn't waste valuable dinner plate real-estate on this salad but it embodied Christmas dinner to my grandmother, my mom, and me. For three generations, this Ambrosia Salad recipe has been served in a beautiful clear grass-green fluted glass bowl that is almost 90 years old. My grandmother received that bowl as a wedding gift in 1929 and it has been adorning sideboards while holding that scrumptious orange and coconut concoction at countless Christmas meals over the years. After my grandmother's passing, it graced my mother's dining room table each Christmas and now it is at my house where we continue to use it and feel Mama Mae's spirit with us around the table. Some Ambrosia recipes call for whipped cream, marshmallows, and fruit cocktail but this recipe is classic Ambrosia Salad and has only three ingredients: oranges, pineapple, and sweetened coconut (no wonder I can remember how to make it each year). To balance out that heavy turkey and dressing, sweet potato casserole, and all those cakes and pies, try making this lovely and light recipe this holiday season. By Nellah Bailey McGough Nellah Bailey McGough Nellah Bailey McGough started her career as an EA at Southern Living in the Travel Department, where she spent 3 years learning about the hidden gems of the South from various editors which led her to researching and writing stories during her 14 years at Southern Living. While continuing to write (Southern culture and holiday DIY are her favorite topics), Nellah eventually pursued a path in business operations. She runs the day-to-day operations in the Southern Living Birmingham office, responds to reader questions and comments, manages freelancer contracts and invoices. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on November 10, 2018 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Southern Living Yield: 6 serves Ingredients 2 oranges, peeled and chopped 2 canned pineapple chunks or tidbits in unsweetened juice 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes Chopped pecans (if you have any left over from your Pecan Pie) Directions Mix all together and refrigerate overnight (this gives you one less thing to make during the holidays). Print