Oval Office Recipe: Watergate Salad

Watergate made big headlines from 1972 to 1974, culminating in U.S. President Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974. The scandal started on June 17, 1972, when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. The complex included an office building, apartments, and a hotel. 

These operatives were connected to Nixon's reelection campaign with a plan to spy and steal documents from the Democrats' headquarters. Nixon and his staff tried to cover up the crime by lying, destroying evidence, and blocking investigations. Eventually, secret White House audio recordings proved Nixon's direct involvement. Instead of facing impeachment, Nixon resigned. 

After the resignation, a Chicago newspaper food editor rebranded a General Foods (Kraft) recipe made with pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, whipped topping, and nuts. Originally named Pistachio Pineapple Delight, the editor capitalized on the famous political scandal. Watergate Salad was created to attract more readers by latching onto the buzzword of the ongoing Nixon scandal.

Watergate Salad

Ingredients:

2 cans (14 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
2 pkg (four-serving size each) Jell-O Pistachio Instant Pudding
3 cups thawed frozen whipped topping
2 cups miniature marshmallows

Optional: 
1 cup pecans, chopped (or pistachios) 

Instructions:

Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl.
Stir in the whipped topping
Chill in the refrigerator for 1.5 hours before serving.