Spectacular Sides: Pudding Fruit Salad

I have seen numerous variations of this recipe in cookbooks and online.  All of them have pudding and fruit in common.  I love this version the best.  You can use fresh or canned fruit, and mix up the flavors of pudding according to your own tastes (banana, vanilla, tapioca, and/or lemon).  Another great thing about t this salad is that kids (of all ages) love it.  What's not to like about fruit and pudding? :D

Here's how I make my version.

Pudding Fruit Salad

Ingredients:
1 pkg (3 oz) instant vanilla pudding
1 pkg (3oz) instant banana pudding
1 can (10 oz) mandarin oranges
1 fresh pineapple, sliced into chunks, or 1 can (15 oz) pineapple chunks
1 pear, peeled & corec, cut into 1-inch chunks, or 1 can (10 oz) diced pears
10-12 Maraschino cherries
2 bananas, sliced

Directions:
Drain canned fruit, reserving juice.  Add water to juice to make 3 cups liquid.  Cook pudding mixes in a 3qt saucepan with liquid over medium heat.  Cool slightly, then pour into medium bowl.  Stir in fruit.  Refrigerate.  Serve chilled.