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Nearing the end of our recent travels, we spent six days in Seattle, Washington. While there, we were able to spend very special time with San Geraldo’s uncle and aunt and we even got to see two of their three “children” who are now in their 30s. San Geraldo is the oldest of his generation and Elizabeth is the youngest. Thirty-six years separate them. His uncle Roger has always been more like an older brother and his aunt Jane is three weeks younger than San Geraldo.
Being from South Dakota (Roger) and Wisconsin (Jane) they share the same culinary upbringing as their nephew. For better and for worse. Elizabeth grew up in Southern California and Seattle and didn’t share those same culinary experiences.
Jane is especially creative in the kitchen serving healthy and unusual meals. We had the best two dinners with them. However, to honor tradition, Jane made a Jell-O salad.
Lime Jell-O, crushed pineapple, and … wait for it… Cottage cheese! Yum!!!
Well, OK, for me, not at all “Yum!!!” And Elizabeth agreed. But Roger, Jane, and San Geraldo were in Mid-Western heaven. I guess it’s an acquired taste.
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| ELIZABETH’S REACTION: HMMM, MAYBE NOT! |
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| SAN GERALDO’S REACTION: MAGNÍFICO!!! |
And here’s a very special recipe, Jello Shrimp Salad Supreme, found in an old recipe box Roger inherited from his mother (San Geraldo’s grandmother). Even Rog, Jane, and San Geraldo found the combination a bit questionable (although, if they tried it, they’d probably love it):
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| AMONG THE INGREDIENTS TO BE ENTOMBED IN LEMON JELL-O: OLIVES, GREEN PEPPERS, ONIONS, HARD-BOILED EGGS, CELERY, PIMENTO, AMERICAN CHEESE, MIRACLE WHIP**, AND TWO CANS OF SHRIMP! I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP. |
*The slogan in the 1960s was “There’s always room for Jell-O.” I’m not so sure.
**Miracle Whip (described as “salad dressing spread”) is a product that would never have been permitted in the homes of anyone I knew when I was growing up.