So berry good

Thanksgiving is only a week a way and I have soooo much to do. So much in fact, I should probably put down the laptop and get to work. Before I do that though, I wanted to share one of my family's favorite Thanksgiving side-dishes; my husband, however, sees it more as dessert rather than part of the main meal...I'll let you decide.

Strawberry Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of crushed pretzels
• 1 1/2 sticks of margarine, melted
• 3 Tbl. sugar and 1/2 cup of sugar
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 12 oz. Cool Whip
• 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
• 1 large (6 oz) Strawberry Jello
• 1 3/4 cups HOT water
• 24 oz. frozen strawberries - DO NOT THAW!!

Layer 1:

1. Mix pretzels, margarine, and 3 Tbl. sugar
2. Press into a 13 x 9 pan
3. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 min
4. Let it cool completely

Layer 2:

1. Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, drained pineapple and 1/2 cup of sugar.
2. Place on pretzels
3. Put in fridge
4. Let kiddo lick bowl and spatula
   

Layer 3:

1. Mix jello and HOT water until jello dissolves
2. Mix in FROZEN strawberries and allow the mixture to jell slightly
3. Pour over cream cheese mixture
4. Cover and replace in fridge until the jello is firm

So, there you have it. It is oh so easy to make and it is one of the best side-dishes/desserts EVER! I don't know why we only make it for major holidays, but that's the just way it's always been.

What side-dishes can you not live without during the holidays?