7-Up Salad

From The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley, by David Adler

1 package lemon gelatin
1 package lime gelatin
2 cups hot 7-Up
1 cup cottage cheese
1 can crushed pineapple
Green food coloring (if desired)

Prepare gelatin according to the package directions, substituting 7-Up for water. Let cool to room temperature. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into pretty individual salad molds or mold as desired. let set in refrigerator for several hours. To unmold, dip the chilled mold in warm water for a second before serving.

David Adler has done a good job as a food detective, following the trail of the King from his humble origins to Graceland and Vegas. When his dad was in jail, Elvis and his mother lived on relief, and ate cheese grits for weeks on end. When Elvis went to high school, he often couldn't afford lunch, so he went without. He became successful very young, and the words "I'll never be hungry again" might have been written for him. He liked Southern food, and had a sweet tooth. He burned a lot of calories performing, but he still had to struggle not to put on too much weight. When not performing, he lived at night. He liked to eat in his bedroom, with its blacked-out windows and aircon that was always off. Then he became a prisoner of Vegas. But he was supremely talented, and was still the King.

You Were Always on My Mind