Yummy Hammy Fruity Salad

Haven helped me make this salad for lunch the other day and it was a hit with all of the kids. It makes a tasty main dish salad, especially for the hot summer days ahead. It had a different name, but this is what my kids call it so the name stuck.

Yummy Hammy Fruity Salad

2 (8 oz.) cans pineapple tidbits, drained juice reserved
2 cups sliced strawberries or halved grapes
1 1/2 -2 cups julienned ham
1 small head iceburg lettuce, chopped
shredded mozzarella or cheddar
dressing:
reserved juice from pineapple
2 cups fat free cottage cheese
2 TBSP. lemon juice
2-3 TBSP. sugar (optional)*
1 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 large apple, cored and cut into slices but not peeled

In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, strawberries ham and lettuce, tossing to mix. Set the cheese aside until serving. For the dressing, in a food processor or blender, combine the reserved pineapple juice, cottage cheese, lemon juice, sugar and poppy seeds and blend until smooth. Add the apple slices into the cottage cheese mixture and pulse until the apples are chopped into small bits but not pureed. Chill the dressing until ready to use. To serve, top each serving of the salad with the dressing and sprinkle some of the shredded cheese over top and enjoy.
Makes about 4 cups of dressing
*you can adjust the sugar to your taste or omit it all together, it's up to you.