South Western Fruit Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 or 5 can chunky fruit cocktail
2 cans pineapple chunks
1 can Mandarin oranges
1 small jar marachino cherries (reserve a few for garnish)
1 large box uncooked vanilla pudding
coconut (if desired)

Preparation

Drain fruit and reserve 2 cups liquid.
Mix liquid with pudding and cook over low heat till thickened.
Pour over drained fruit.
Garnish with cherries.
Chill.