Strawberry Banana Salad

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for new fruit and veggie side dishes to serve with lunches and dinners.  This salad (which could double as a light dessert) is a lovely blend of strawberries and bananas, topped with a sweetened cream cheese dressing.  It is the perfect accompaniment!

Strawberry Banana Salad

Katie Christy

Ingredients:

Strawberry Gelee -

2 tbsp water

1 tsp unflavored gelatin

16 oz strawberries (about 2 cups/1 pint), chopped (frozen, defrosted work perfectly)

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp water or liqueur (I used creme de cacao)

Dressing:

3 oz cream cheese, softened

7 oz marshmallow creme

2-3 bananas (aprx)

Directions:

1.  For the Strawberry Gelee: get ready 6 small bowls.

2.  Stir the water and gelatin together in a small bowl.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  

3.  Microwave the gelatin mixture for 20 seconds and stir until completely dissolved.

4.  Meanwhile: stir the strawberries together with the sugar and 1 tsp liquid in a medium bowl.

5. Stir the gelatin mixture into the strawberries until thoroughly mixed.

6.  Evenly distribute the mixture into the bottom of the bowls (about 1/4 cup per bowl).  Cover and chill until set and ready to serve (mixture will not be firm).

7.  Meanwhile - For the dressing: in a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and the marshmallow creme.  Cover and chill until ready to use.

8.  To Serve: slice the bananas.  Evenly distribute the slices on top of the gelee in the bowls.  Spoon or pipe equal amounts of the dressing into the bowls (about 2 tbsp ea).  Serve!