Fresh Cranberry Salad

I had never had a fresh cranberry salad until last Thanksgiving.  A dear friend and I decided to combine our usual feasts to make cooking a bit easier on the both of us.  Then, we decided to throw in some new dishes to jazz things up a bit.  This will definitely be on the table again this year!  For weeks, the two of us have been saying things like, "MMMMMM cranberrrrrry salad" and, "Know what I am looking forward to...".  It is just that good! 

• 1 (10 ounce) package fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries, picked over and washed
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 9 ounces strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert (3 small boxes)
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 cups red apples, diced
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 (9 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1-2 cup green seedless grape or red seedless grapes, halved

1. Cook cranberries in the 4 cups water to a boil.
2. Add soda and stir and enjoy watching it bubble up.
3. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Stir in sugar, jello, and marshmallows.
5. Stir until melted.
6. Let mixture cool.
7. Add apples, nuts, pineapple, oranges, and grapes.
8. Pour into one 9" x 13" pan and one 8" x 8" pan.
9. Chill until firm.

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