It's that time of the year

From now until December 31st, we will pretend that Pretzel Salad is a side dish (or even an actual salad) instead of relegating it to the dessert table.  Because the beauty and versatility of the Pretzel Salad really deserves to be front and center with the turkey and dressing. If you haven't tried Pretzel Salad you have not lived.   Let me introduce you:  Layer 1- The salty yummy crushed pretzels combined with sugar and butter.  Layer 2- Cream cheese, cool whip and our friend sugar.  Layer 3- Jello and frozen strawberries.  I know, I had you at Layer 1.

Patrick: What are you making Mom?
Me: Pretzel salad.
Patrick:  Please don't put any cheese on it, just balsamic, olive oil and salt.
Me: It isn't that kind of salad.

If you, like my son, need extra support to pretend that this is a salad (he will only eat it at dessert time but he loves it to death and even sang a little ditty about his love of the pretzel salad), take heart and serve it on a piece of lettuce.  TaDa! SALAD!  See.....

And of course Paula Deen has her own recipe.....   Although I am a fan of more sugar (a bit in every layer please), I do like the whipped cream on top (four layers of love).  But Patrick would call CPS if I ever tried to sully the dish with pineapple.

At my house, I flip to the Reinbeck Presbyterian cookbook,  It will  remain open the entire holiday season.  The competing recipes, the vague directions, the oleo, I love it.