It’s summertime, picnic time, and the southern tradition of, “What can I bring? “is in full force for this holiday weekend. Don’t you love to go to a picnic where everyone brings a favorite side dish to share? It’s like the best buffet in the world. You get to sample a little bite of everything and then go back for more. Who doesn’t like that kind of party?
On another note, I’ve been frying lots of chicken tenders, testing recipes for the cookbook and I’m pleased to say the chicken is marvelous, but we got tired of the same old side dishes. I started experimenting with salad recipes both old and new and came up with can only be described as a “mash up” of two favorites, Broccoli Salad and & Seven Layer Salad. We all love the peas and cheese in the layered salad and the mayo and sunflower seeds in the broccoli salad. I debated a sweet element like raisins for a kind of sweet and sour touch, but the peas have it. Peas are a great vegetable and for some reason often ignored. Frozen peas keep that little snap, and the sugary taste is a perfect note. Now add some creamy mayonnaise, sweet onion, sharp cheddar cheese, and of course those sunflower seeds and you’ve made the most popular side at the picnic, Peas and Crumbled Bacon Salad. It’s a breeze because the ingredients are all basically staples - present and accounted for. Peas are always in the freezer, mayo, cheese, and onions in the fridge, along with bacon, my husband’s favorite food group.
I prepared this salad again last night and carefully packed the leftovers in a little dish. In the morning I made a truly stunning discovery. The salad was even better the next day, still crunchy and all the flavors had sort of melded. Perfection. From now on I’ll be making this one a few hours or even a day ahead. Look out picnic season – here comes your new favorite salad. Yum!
Ingredients
16 oz package frozen peas, defrosted
8 to 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
¼ onion, finely chopped
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp sugar
2 Tbsp sunflower seeds
Optional: lettuce for serving and sliced cherry tomatoes
Directions
Mix peas, bacon, mayonnaise, cheese, and onion together.
Stir in salt, pepper, and sugar, and taste for seasonings.
Top with sunflower seeds.
Serving Suggestion: Line a plate with lettuce leaves and mound Pea and Crumbled Bacon Salad on the lettuce. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds over the top. If desired, place a few sliced cherry tomatoes around the edges of the plate.
