New Years Day Ambrosia

Everyone has traditonal food or foods that they serve their families on New Year's Day...in my family the tradition is "Pot" Roast with rice and gravy, Cabbage Rolls (page 19 of Roux), Black Eyed Peas (page 11) and for dessert, Ambrosia (page 39). Here is the recipe below for you, but, please buy my little cookbook to keep our little kitchen in spices and seasonings. Bon Appetit!

(New Orleans) Ambrosia

5 blood or navel oranges, peeled, slices cut in half

1 bag of shredded coconut, sweetened

1 jar of maraschino cherries with juice

granulated sugar

In a large decorative glass serving bowl (punch or morning serving bowl), place a layer of cut orange slices, cover the oranges with one heaping tablespoon of sugar, then cover this layer with a handful of shredded coconut; place several cherries on top of this layer. Repeat this order until the bowl is full. The last layer should be coconut and cherries. Drizzle the cherry juice on the completed layers.  Chill several hours.