We had a tradition growing up and after talking with some friends I found that they followed the same tradition in their homes. I don't know if it's a yesteryear thing or a Midwest thing but for our birthdays we chose the menu for our special evening and our moms would create magic all for us, technically for the whole family but in honor of the birthday baby. After all her hard work creating the list, shopping and cooking (sometimes starting days earlier) she would let all the credit go to us...for simply picking out what we wanted. Moms, they are incredible. I love you mom! I remember one year my mother, brother and I spent hours around the kitchen table rolling out dough, stuffing, forking then freezing fresh little gnocci pockets for my brother Adam's birthday dinner. Me? I picked the same thing every year, seven layer pea salad, barbequed chicken and 2 buster-bar pies with peanuts for me and without for my picky twin (just kidding Sarah!xo). I think everyone's good spirits were as much in celebration of the food as it was of us!
We're had a family birthday BBQ this weekend so what better to bring than a bright summery salad? I hope I do my mom justice!
So here it is, a really quick and kid friendly recipe. The only trouble is we can never remember the layers so we've gotten creative and started counting salt and pepper, the bowl...whatever we can to come up with the original seven so we're just going to call it
(#) layer pea salad
Ingredients:
A large bag of frozen peas ~ thawed
(in the fridge, on the back deck or on the counter, not defrosted in the microwave)
Shredded Cheese ~ I use a cheddar blend
Bacon or Panchetta cooked and chopped
Red or Green or Leeks to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste
Broccoli Head chopped finely, stem removed
Cauliflower Head chopped finely, stem removed (any color)
A spoonful or two of Mayo, just enough to give everything a really light coating, you can always add more.
Throw it all into a bowl and stir.
It's best to make this a few hours in advance and chill in the fridge so the flavors can meld.
We're had a family birthday BBQ this weekend so what better to bring than a bright summery salad? I hope I do my mom justice!
So here it is, a really quick and kid friendly recipe. The only trouble is we can never remember the layers so we've gotten creative and started counting salt and pepper, the bowl...whatever we can to come up with the original seven so we're just going to call it
(#) layer pea salad
Ingredients:
A large bag of frozen peas ~ thawed
(in the fridge, on the back deck or on the counter, not defrosted in the microwave)
Shredded Cheese ~ I use a cheddar blend
Bacon or Panchetta cooked and chopped
Red or Green or Leeks to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste
Broccoli Head chopped finely, stem removed
Cauliflower Head chopped finely, stem removed (any color)
A spoonful or two of Mayo, just enough to give everything a really light coating, you can always add more.
Throw it all into a bowl and stir.
It's best to make this a few hours in advance and chill in the fridge so the flavors can meld.
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| My niece and nephew reporting for salad duty! |
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| Pretty Purple Cauliflower Picker...say that five times fast! |
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| ...each piece was the exact same size! |
I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the finished product but it was really bright and beautiful food art.
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| An old pic & super basic...quite sad looking without the flashy purple cauliflower :( |
It's really crisp and refreshing. If you are looking for something with a little more kick try this
Yum yum. This was always one of my faves too!
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