Watergate Salad Made Lighter

WW Recipe of the Day: Watergate Salad Made Lighter

How the name "Watergate salad" originated is open for debate. The basic recipe, calling for only two ingredients—Jello Instant Pistachio Pudding and Cool Whip, was first published by General Foods around the time of the Watergate scandal.

It's popular dish at potlucks and family gatherings and goes by many different names, including:

• Shut the Gate Salad
• Pistachio Delight
• Green Goop
• Green Goddess Salad
• Green Fluff
• Green Stuff

Lightened Up Watergate Salad

It also has many different variations, including:

• Other canned fruit (like mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail) in place of the pineapple
• Different nuts, including crushed pecans or walnuts
• Marshmallows instead the cottage cheese
• Some like to top it with maraschino cherries, for a little pop of color

This lightened version replaces the marshmallows with smooth cottage cheese, which adds a nice protein boost.

How Many Calories and WW Points in this Watergate Pistachio Salad?

According to my calculations, each serving has 100 calories and:

2 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
2 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
2 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

How to Make Lightened Up Watergate Salad

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Ready to make Watergate Salad

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl (affiliate link), add the drained pineapple with 2 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice.

Crushed pineapple

Step 3: Add the pudding mix and stir until dissolved. Stir in the almond extract (if using) and set aside.

Mixing pistachio pudding mix with the pineapple

Step 4: In a small food processor (affiliate link), blend the cottage cheese until smooth and creamy.

Smooth and creamy cottage cheese

Step 5: Stir the cottage cheese into the pudding mixture and blend. Gently fold in the whipped topping.

Mixing the salad

Step 6: Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Step 7: Before serving, top with sliced almonds.

Watergate salad made lighter

Recipe Notes, Substitutions & Variations

This simple salad gets a nice boost of protein from the cottage cheese. If you must add marshmallows, try using half the normal amount (about 1 cup) to keep this salad light.

Watergate salad with sliced almonds and without

What to Serve with this Lightened Up Pistachio Salad Dessert?

Many enjoy this as a side salad when part of a buffet or potluck. It was sweet enough for me to enjoy as a cool and creamy enlightened dessert!

Ways to Use Leftovers

Enjoy any leftovers with your barbecue meal or as a little sweet treat in the evening.

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4.88 from 8 votes

Watergate Salad Made Lighter

Enjoy this simple, lightened up, guilt-free pistachio pudding salad at your next get-together.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Chill Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

Servings (adjustable): 8

Calories: 100

Author: Peter | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, packed in unsweetened juice, drained with juice reserved
• ▢ 1 package (4 serving-size) sugar-free instant pistachio pudding mix
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ▢ 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• ▢ 1-½ cups light whipped topping
• ▢ 3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pineapple with 2 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice.
• Add the pudding mix and stir until dissolved. Stir in the almond extract (if using) and set aside.
• In a small food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth and creamy.
• Stir the cottage cheese into the pudding mixture until blended. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
• Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.
• When ready to serve, top with almond slices.

Equipment

Mixing Bowls

Food Processor

Silicone Spatula

Recipe Notes

This simple salad gets a nice boost of protein from the cottage cheese. If you must add marshmallows, try using half the normal amount (about 1 cup) to keep this salad light.

Serving size: ½ cup

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

2 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

2 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

2 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Watergate Salad Made Lighter

Amount Per Serving (1 /2 cup)

Calories 100 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 5g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: green fluff, pistachio delight, shut the gate salad

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Recipe source: Eat What You Love Everyday (affiliate link) by Marlene Koch

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

More Lightened Up Jello Salads for Weight Watchers

• Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Creamy 2-Ingredient Jello Yogurt Fluff
• Cranberry Jello Salad
• Greek Yogurt Orange Pudding

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