Frozen Strawberry Salad

If you attend a women’s event in the South, be it church related, social, or simply a girls’ gathering, there will be an offering of congealed salad, humble and deliciously Southern.

2 cups frozen strawberries, with juice

2 large bananas, chopped

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup sugar

1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Blend the berries, bananas, lemon juice, pineapple, and sugar in a blender. Pour the fruit mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the whipped topping. Whip in the cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer. Spread into a 13 x 9-inch Pyrex dish, cover, and freeze. These are lovely garnished with fresh strawberry slices and served on baby lettuce leaves.

Makes 12 servings