Pasta is a kid classic. Pair it with vanilla pudding, canned fruit and marshmallows – not to mention a fantastic froggy face – and you've essentially got the holy grail of child-approved summertime salads. Serve up a side of creativity at a family picnic this July with this concoction from Noodlemania! 50 Playful Pasta Recipes, Salt Lake City mom and creative cook Melissa Barlow's latest book, published by Quirk Books.
Basics
Yields 6 servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup acini di pepe (or other small bead-like noodle)
- 2 snack-size vanilla pudding cups, chilled
- Green food coloring
- 1 small can pineapple tidbits, with juice
- 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
- 2-3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 8-oz. container Cool Whip
- Large marshmallows for eyes
- Green M&Ms for eyes
- Vanilla frosting, dyed black
- Black or green shoestring licorice
Directions
- Cook the noodles according to package directions; drain and let cool completely.
- Combine the cooled pasta with the pudding, pineapple juice and oranges. Gently stir in the mini marshmallows and half of the Cool Whip. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving. Stir the green food coloring in the remaining Cool Whip and then gently fold into salad just before serving.
- To make the frog faces, create the eyes by snipping a marshmallow in half using kitchen scissors. Affix two green M&Ms using a tiny bit of frosting. Cut shoestring licorice with kitchen scissors to make mouth. Ribbit!
This recipe is reprinted with permission of Quirk Books.
