1 package (3 ounces) strawberry or raspberry flavored plant based gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained well
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla
Instructions
Start by washing your fresh cranberries and removing any soft ones. Place the berries in a food processor and pulse them until they are coarsely chopped, but be careful not to over process them into a liquid. Transfer the chopped cranberries to a medium bowl and stir in the sugar, then let this mixture sit for about 30 minutes so the berries can release their juices and sweeten up.
In a large heat proof mixing bowl, combine the flavored plant based gelatin with one cup of boiling water. Stir the mixture constantly for about two minutes or until the powder is completely dissolved. Once smooth, pour in the cold water and the alcohol-free vanilla, stirring briefly to combine everything together.
Add the sweetened cranberry mixture, the well drained crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, and diced celery into the gelatin base. Use a large spoon to fold everything together until the fruit and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the liquid. The combination of the red berries and green celery always looks so festive at this stage.
Carefully pour the mixture into a glass serving bowl or a decorative mold if you prefer a specific shape. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the salad to chill for at least four hours, though leaving it overnight is even better to ensure it is completely firm and the flavors have fully melded.
