It’s that time of summer in Arkansas when after a full day of hiking or exploring, you can’t help but think of something nice and cool to eat. This fluffy dessert salad recipe will cool you off and leave you refreshed for some evening porch-sitting when you visit our Hot Springs area bed and breakfast.
I have no idea whom to credit this recipe. My grandma brought it home one day from one of her functions, and said she got it from the mother of a farm family. The name of the recipe is “Frog Eye Salad”. When I asked Grandma about the name, she said, “Sue probably put it on the table in front of all her boys, & someone must have said, ‘Hey…it looks like frog eyes!’ ” I assure you no frogs were harmed in the making of this salad!
Frog Eye Salad
1 cup acini de pepe pasta
2 small cans mandarin oranges
1 13oz can crushed pineapple
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (I use the orange, strawberry, lemon and lime to add more color)
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs flour
9 oz frozen whipped topping
Fill saucepan half full of water. Bring to a boil. Add acini de pepe & salt to taste. Cook slowly for 30 minutes. If any water is left, drain.
Drain fruit well, and save the juice. Add eggs, sugar and flour to fruit juices. Mix well, and cook till thickened. Cool, then add acini de pepe and let sit in refrigerator overnight.
Add fruit, frozen whipped topping and marshmallows to pasta mix. Top with chopped maraschino cherries if you like.
Side note: it’s been very difficult to find acini de pepe in our stores this year, so I used ditalini pasta instead. It’s a little larger than acini de pepe, so Bob calls this version “Bull Frog Eye Salad.” Yes, you may shake your head now!
While you sit back and enjoy your frog eye salad, take a minute to review your calendar and find a few days to book your next Hot Springs area getaway. It’s been a hectic summer for most of us, and you deserve a few days of peaceful respite. There’s nothing more relaxing than waking up surrounded by trees and birdsong, with the aroma of breakfast at Tiffany’s cooking downstairs. We won’t ask you to clear your dishes from the table, or make your bed. Allow yourself to be spoiled for just a few days while you’re here. We’ll see you soon!