Bing Cherry Salad

I frequently make a dish or pass along a recipe and am surprised when the person on the receiving end comments about the "Southernness" of the recipe.  This usually happens with things like black-eyed peas, okra, and beans-only dinners - all things common here in Oklahoma.  This recipe, however, is decidedly Southern.  It's strange, highly processed, and includes an odd combination of ingredients.  I would turn my own nose up at it, but it's so good that I can't.

Ingredients:

1 can bing cherries
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 can Coca-Cola
14 oz. package cream cheese
1 package cherry jello
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped

Finding the canned cherries is half the battle with this recipe.  They have to be bing cherries and we've only ever found one brand.  A can is expensive - about $4 - but it's worth is.  Happy shopping!

To begin, drain the pineapple and cherries, pouring the juices into a measuring cup.  Add enough Coke to the juice to equal two cups.  Heat the juice/Coke combination and dissolve the Jello in the hot juice.  Allow to partially cool.

Crumble the cream cheese into the Jello mixture.  Add the pecans and celery and mix thoroughly.  Place the mixture into the refrigerator and stir occasionally to prevent the fruit and nuts from sinking to the bottom.