Nothing is worse than an overstuffed stomach searching for a dessert and finding only an assortment of heaviness adding to the misery of overindulgence. Shining like crown jewels, gelatin molds are one way of alleviating the bloatedness resulting from the usual holiday meal.

Served attractively in a gelatin mold, a cherry cola salad glows like a ruby necklace while resembling something sinfully richer. For the sugar restrictive, a sugar-free product is substituted. For the carb and the cholesterol conscious, a low-fat cream cheese is substituted.

Cola Salad

1-6oz package black bing cherry flavored gelatin
1-8-oz.can crushed pineapple in syrup
1-8-oz cream cheese, softened
1-12 oz can cola
1-8oz can black bing cherries, in syrup

Directions: In a saucepan: drain the juices of the black bing cherries and the crushed pineapple setting aside the fruit.On medium heat dissolve the black bing cherry gelatin in the fruit juices. Into a large bowl: refrigerate the gelatin mixture until it is thickened. Mix in the softened cream cheese until it is well blended. Fold in the black bing cherries and the crushed pineapple, stir in the canned cola. Pour into a mold that has sprayed with a canned cooking oil. Refrigerate until the mold is well set.

Emerald green congealed lime gelatin salad shimmers as a light alternative to the more weighty desserts as well as a delicious addition to a holiday meal.

Congealed Lime Gelatin Salad

1-large package lime flavored gelatin