Seven Layer salad

Every family reunion I’ve ever been to has featured at least one version of this salad. Granny Jordan loved to take this to church dinners. It’s beautiful when layered in a clear glass punch bowl and it has always been a real crowd pleaser. I love its perfect blend of flavors and textures.

6 cups chopped lettuce

2 cups chopped tomatoes

2 cups sliced mushrooms

One 10-ounce package frozen green peas, thawed and drained

4 ounces mild cheddar cheese, cubed small

1 medium red onion, sliced into rings

2 cups mayonnaise

4 to 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, optional

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

• In a 2-quart serving bowl, layer the lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, peas, cubed cheese, and onion in that order. Spread the mayonnaise over the onion rings, sealing to the edge of the bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Garnish with crumbled bacon and shredded cheese, if desired.
• This salad looks great made in a clear glass dish so that you can see the layers. When serving, dip all the way to the bottom so that you get all the layers.

6 to 8 servings