Pioneer Woman Frog Eye Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Frog Eye Salad is a refreshing, fruity pasta salad featuring acini di pepe pasta mixed with a creamy pineapple custard and a medley of tropical fruits. Sweet, tangy, and delightfully light, it’s finished with marshmallows and shredded coconut for a fun texture and flavor contrast, making it a perfect dish for potlucks, family gatherings, or summer parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Mixture
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Pasta
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 (16-ounce) package acini di pepe pasta
Fruity Salad Mix
- 3 (11-ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Prepare the Custard Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, sugar, beaten eggs, flour, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens to a custard-like consistency. Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and let the custard cool at room temperature for about 60 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water. Then add the acini di pepe pasta and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the pasta is tender but firm. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together the cooled custard, cooked and cooled pasta, mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, crushed pineapple, and the thawed whipped topping. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined, creating a creamy, fruity salad base.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 8 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld together and helps the salad set for the best texture and taste.
- Add Final Touches: Just before serving, fold in the miniature marshmallows and shredded coconut into the chilled salad. Mix gently but thoroughly to distribute these sweet and textured additions evenly throughout the dish for a delightful finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure the custard mixture is constantly stirred while cooking to prevent eggs from curdling.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to avoid overcooking and clumping.
- Chilling overnight is recommended for best flavor but a minimum of 8 hours will work.
- This salad is best served cold and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a slightly healthier twist, substitute reduced-fat whipped topping.
Keywords: Frog Eye Salad, Pioneer Woman, Pineapple Salad, Pasta Salad, Fruit Salad, Acini di Pepe Salad, Dessert Salad, Sweet Salad
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/pioneer-woman-frog-eye-salad-recipe/
