I am obviously not going to take credit for creating the well known and loved Watergate Salad. It is popular for a reason. It tastes pretty darn awesome and it is super simple. A win all around.
The one thing it is lacking a bit is visual appeal. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t look horrible. It just doesn’t look great either. After all, it is green. And when we think of sweet and fruity salads, we don’t typically think of that color.
My mom made Watergate Salad as part of our Easter feast. I had brought a Mango Coconut Poke Cake (watch for that recipe to come soon) and had some extra toasted coconut leftover. I absolutely love toasted coconut and the additional flavor and slight crunch it brings. My mom agreed that it would kick the flavor up a notch and liked my idea of topping off her salad with it.
It was such a simple thing.
Nothing complicated or really that unique.
Yet, all I can say is WOW.
If you have never tried it this way, I highly recommend it. The coconut really added to the tropical flavor and paired so well with the pistachio pudding and pineapple. I loved the added sweet crunch. In my opinion, it made the salad look prettier as well.
I used about 2/3 of a cup of toasted coconut and my mom prepared the recipe according to the Watergate Salad instructions on Kraft.
How to Toast Coconut
If you aren’t familiar with toasting coconut, simply bake coconut in a single layer on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees. Bake, then stir, every 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. If you start to see any color at all you know you are close and check it every 30 seconds after that. I like to get mine to a nice golden color but not too dark.
(And Kraft, if you are listening, you should definitely add this to your Kraft tips section as it isn’t there currently.)
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored, however I am a Kraft Tastemaker. All thoughts are my own.
ellen beck says
April 24, 2014 at 12:16 amI like taking this dish to picnics! I hadnt thought about adding more coconut it looks really good!
Sarah L says
April 24, 2014 at 1:12 amYes, the toasted coconut adds great visual appeal.
My problem is that I HATE coconut so I wouldn’t make it with this.
Robin Wilson says
April 24, 2014 at 5:52 amLooks aren’t everything! Especially when it comes to food. I have never had nor heard of Watergate Salad before, but I adore coconut and I can only imagine that when I make this I will not doubt up the coconut to about a cup! Thanks for sharing mom!
vickie couturier says
April 24, 2014 at 6:46 amoh wow,that really looks good,,I love this type of salad,,and coconut too,so good combination
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
April 24, 2014 at 7:32 amyou had me at “toasted coconut”. SO good!!!
Elena says
April 25, 2014 at 12:34 pmI love coconut! Yum!
Gail Williams says
April 28, 2014 at 1:29 pmCoconut is my middle name! I put it on and in everything so I loved this better version of Watergate Salad!
Sarah L says
April 29, 2014 at 1:28 amThe toasted coconut does make it look better, but for me it wouldn’t taste better.
Beth rees says
April 30, 2014 at 8:25 pmI love the idea of toasted coconut on it. What a great little punch of flavor and crunch. Yum!
Tiffany Schmidt says
May 1, 2014 at 9:51 amI make this salad for reunions and get togethers. I however, am not a fan, but it has become my traditional dish. I think I’ll try adding the coconut and see how everyone likes it!
Amy Orvin says
May 1, 2014 at 4:07 pmYum! This salad looks delicious! I have never tried some with toasted coconut , but that sounds heavenly!!
katrina C. says
May 2, 2014 at 11:29 amMMM! Looks great! I love anything with toasted coconut, and I bet it gives it a nice texture as well!
Shannon says
May 2, 2014 at 2:24 pmOMG I have never tried Watergate salad like this! This looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
shaunie says
May 5, 2014 at 10:00 amThink this will be awesome… not a typical salad. I also am not a salad person but would love to try this one. (Love coconut… must taste great).
Laurie Nykaza says
May 5, 2014 at 1:16 pmThis looks great to serve when we bbq this weekend looks like something my kids would really enjoy we love coconut!
Maria Giral says
May 6, 2014 at 12:28 amThe Watergate Salad looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it 🙂
Gianna says
May 6, 2014 at 1:37 amThis looks like something my husband would like!
Kathy Pease says
May 6, 2014 at 4:05 pmI love coconut and this looks amazing. I will have to give this a try 🙂
anna pry says
May 17, 2014 at 1:50 pmi dont even remember the last time i had some of this salad, it was probably at a church potluck dinner, i would enjoy the added coconut i’m sure
Tammy S says
May 19, 2014 at 10:19 amThis looks like a dish my grandmother use to make. I have got to try it, It was amazing! I love coconut and especially when it’s toasted. Thanks for the recipe!
Sarah Hayes says
May 27, 2014 at 11:36 pmi dont think Ive ever had this before but I love coconut so Id love to try this. I could def make this to take to church too.