Vintage Jell-O Recipe: Ginger Upper Salad

Jell-O made with ginger ale. It's not a new idea, but it's a good one—and this sweet recipe leaves lots of room to make your own version.

I make mine with lime Jell-O and diet ginger ale. (I like Canada Dry, but you can choose any brand you like.) And I like to add pears, but you can vary both the fruit and the Jell-O flavor to suit your own taste, or what your family likes best.

There's something about the lime flavor that makes this dessert hit the spot with the right combination of tangy and sweet.

The soda gives it some zip, which is refreshing for summer, or any time you want a different twist on an old favorite.

• Be sure to use dead-ripe pears if using fresh ones. Canned pears work just fine, too.
• Test your favorite fruits and Jell-O flavors. Any combination that sounds good will make a good Jell-O salad (but don't used fresh pineapple, as it contains enzymes that prevent the gelatin from firming up).
• Test different brands of ginger ale, too. If you're in Michigan, for example, you might use Vernor's and see if you like it.
• Stir a bit of ground ginger, or minced candied ginger, into the Jell-O along with the water for an even bigger zing!
• Serve with a dollop of real whipped cream to complement the gingery flavor. A dusting of ground ginger on top would be fun, as well, if you really want to kick it up a notch!

The great thing about Jell-O is it can be a salad or a dessert. It can be as plain or as fancy as the occasion. And you have lots of room to experiment with different combinations.