[V K Lee]

In my Childhood, mom was a member of a ladies club which met about once a month. Always enjoyed accompanying her to these gatherings - Why? THE FOOD. The pot luck meals were always winners. One favorite dish was a cherry, coke salad made with jello and Coke. IIRC there was pineapple and pecans in it as well. Never found a recipe which came close to that served. But still on the quest. Mention black cherry jello and this dish would be the first to remember. Always served anytime around the Christmas holiday. :-)

[Aliska]

It was really good at potlucks and my mom's club. Lots of jello. I blow hot and cold with it now. There are too many recipes with lots of stuff dumped in them. A couple are really good, but so much of it is not appetizing to me.

We had to be careful with home canned green beans and stuff with eggs and mayo though, much as I love potato salad and tuna.

I can't think of what your jello could be. I heard of something like that but never tried it.

[Stand Watch Listen]

???Coke salad ???

Ingredients:
---1 (20 ounce) can chilled crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, drained, but juices reserved
---1 (14.5 ounce) can chilled sweet Bing cherries or dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup, drained and chopped, but syrup reserved
---2 small (4 serving size) cherry flavored Jello (not sugar free)
---1 (12 ounce) can chilled Coca-Cola (you may not use it all)
---1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts,
 optionalTopping, cottage cheese, or sweet salad dressing mayonnaise (like Miracle Whip), for garnish,

optional Topping
---1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
---2 cups of thawed Cool Whip or whipped cream

Directions:
Drain the cherry syrup and pineapple juices into a saucepan. Set the fruit aside in the refrigerator to keep chilled. Bring fruit juices to a boil, remove from heat and whisk in the Jello powder until fully dissolved. Transfer to a 4 cup glass measuring cup and add enough Coca-Cola to equal a total of 4 cups of liquid. Stir in pineapple, cherries, and nuts and transfer to a 9 x 13 inch pan. Allow to fully set for at least 3 to 5 hours or longer, preferably overnight - do not stir! 

For the topping, cream together the cream cheese and sugar; stir in the Cool Whip or whipped cream, until well combined. Spread over top of jello before serving, or dollop over top of individual servings.

Options/Hints: In a pinch, a can of cherry pie filling may be substituted. Chill the fruit cans in advance if you have time - it will help the gelatin to set. Do not use fresh pineapple. Other compatible liquids may be used, including other cold drinks like Dr Pepper, or Cherry Coke.