Ghostbusters Slimer Pistachio Watergate Salad #Foodnflix

For the past few months, my co-writer Lynda has been participating in the Food n Flix Club cooking challenge, where bloggers get together to watch an agreed upon movie and then make a dish that is inspired by the movie.

It looks like a lot of fun, so when she mentioned that this month's movie was Ghostbusters 2016, I asked if I could take it on. Don't be shocked - buy I may be the only person in the US who has never seen any of them!

So, I decided to watch the original version which came out in 1984, and then watch the newest version which came out in 2016!

The original was out two years before I was even born, and needless to say, it seemed like such an outdated and silly movie!

I mean, after 30+ years, it is crazy to see where film has gone. This movie oh my goodness, I do not even know what to say. It was really hard for me to actually sit there and watch it. The graphics, the jokes, the special effects, oh man! I wonder if some movies have to be experienced when they're enjoying great popularity to really appreciate them?

Watching the updated version a few days later was really fun! I mean Kristen Wiig was in it, and she is one of my favorite ladies of comedy! This version's graphics were bright, colorful and so different from the original. I really liked it!

The storyline tried to mimic the original, but some parts were just so off base, I didn't know what to think of the remake as it might compare to the original (I know some fans of the classic movie had some strong opinions about that), but I liked it fine.

While watching both movies, there are a lot of food references, and you can see people eating things throughout the movie.

What stood out for me was Green Slime (both ectoplasm and Slimer), Pizza, Chinese Food and marshmallows!

I thought I might go the Chinese food route, and follow in the classic scene where they state "this magnificent meal is the last of our petty cash" and try a budget friendly version of Chinese food, or the Wonton Soup issue from the 2016 version.

Or, I could try to make some type of green slime or Ectoplasam but really, besides Jello, I did not know what direction to go with that!

In the end, I decided to do something with Marshmallows because well, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was the last and biggest threat that the GhostBusters defeated at the end of the movie (twice!).

So with Marshmallows as my food of choice, I thought it would be fun to do something that is also green in honor of the mischievous Slimer who caused such mayhem in both movies.! Keep with the theme right?

There were so many possibilities... I thought of Slimer popcorn with green food coloring into the marshmallows. I thought the obvious Rice Krispie treats, and then I remembered something that my grandma used to make that I was obsessed with as a kid!

Pistachio Pudding or as it is also known - Watergate Salad!! It incorporates the green in the pudding itself and also marshmallows! I knew that my kids would love this idea so decided to run with this one!!  I think it would make a great addition to any table full of Halloween dishes.

It is a pretty simple recipe and takes just a few minutes to prepare it. Win win in my house!

Ghostbusters Slimer Pistachio Watergate Salad
Prep Time- 5 minutes

Ingredients
1 Box of Jello Pistachio Flavored instant pudding
1 20oz can of Crushed Pineapple, Undrained
1 cup of Mini Marshmallows
1 container of Cool Whip, thawed
1/2 cup of chopped Pecans ( or nuts of your choice)

Notes:
*Do not make the pudding as it is stated on the box! The pineapple juice will make up for the milk that is needed in the traditional making of the pudding. As well as the Cool Whip.

*the original recipe calls for the whole can of pineapple and juice. I scoop out the pineapple (not strain) and omit the juice. I find it gets too watery! Your choice!!

* I also omit the nuts as the Pistachio pudding has them in it already and I find it is enough for my family. Again, your choice! More nuts will give this a more crunchy texture.

Instructions
You simply mix it all up.  Take the pudding mix, add the pineapple with the juices. Stir in the mini marshmallows and then slowly fold in cool whip. I add the pecans, if I'm using them, at the very end.

That's it! There you have it. Stick it in the fridge for an hour or so and then enjoy.

This is truly a timeless recipe that I know my kids are going to love! I loved it as a kid and I am sure that yours will to! Enjoy this marshmallowy- green slime inspired dessert!

And go ahead and watch one or both of these silly movies - we could all use more silliness!

Check back on November 2 with Kimberly at Coffee & Casseroles to see the full round up of other Ghostbusters inspired recipes!  I can't wait to see what others did!