Cranberry Apple Pecan Marshmallow Yogurt Salad

Cranberry apple pecan marshmallow yogurt salad is a long name for a recipe, but I just listed everything that's in the salad, so you don't have to ask, "What's in this salad?" Like many of the guests at Thanksgiving did. I never had this salad before, but when I saw the recipe on one of my favorite blogs, I thought it would be great for Thanksgiving and I had to try it. Thank you Darby. According to my nephew it was a hit. He gave me the greatest compliment a cook can receive, "Everything Aunt Sarah makes is good." Melt. My. Heart. What was that you wanted for Christmas? Aunt Sarah will get it for you. It's an ongoing joke between my sister and I, that when her kids come over, they like whatever food I make, then go home and ask, "Mom, why don't you make [insert food item]?" Which is absurd, because my sister is a great cook and makes many of the same dishes I do! It does make me feel good when they like my cooking :-)

Back to the recipe...

This salad uses fresh cranberries, so it is TART. Hence the need to coat the cranberries in sugar the night before. DO IT.

Ingredients:
1 bag of cranberries cut in 1/2 or roughly chopped
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup sugar (or more if desired)
4 apples peeled and diced (I used Galas)
1/2 bag of mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
16 ounces of vanilla yogurt

Directions:
Night Before: Wash and cut fresh cranberries in half. You can use a food processor to coarsely chop them. I don't have a food processor so I cut them all in half. Every. Last. One. It was tedious, but it did allow me to pick out any smooshed cranberries or pick off the occasional stem. Coat the cranberries with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup sugar (I would use 3/4 cup or more the next time I make it), and refrigerate overnight or for several hours.

When you're ready to make the salad, get a large mixing bowl. Peel and slice your apples. I splashed a little lemon juice on the apples to keep them from browning. Give the pecans a rough chop. Then mix everything together. The cranberries, apples, pecans and marshmallows get coated with the yogurt. That's it! Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Isn't that easy?

I like this recipe because it's easy, it makes a lot, and it uses fresh cranberries and apples. The marshmallows and pecans add a little sweetness. And the yogurt is what keeps it all together. Like one big happy family. If you're not crazy about cranberries or tartness, then this recipe might not be your favorite. But if you like being adventurous, give it a try!