I usually try to be lighthearted when I post a recipe, but reading or preparing this recipe always brings back memories. In the days before life became so complicated and our local health department became so rigid, I used to join a group of women (including my dear friend Linda) with whom I worked who prepared special holiday meals for the homeless women’s shelter at our local YWCA. We would all prepare homemade food and serve it to the ladies. The main thing these women liked was the variety of food offered. (They so rarely were given choices outside of what we brought in for these holiday luncheons.) After a few meals, I learned that there were two dishes the ladies really liked. One was this pea salad, the other was deviled eggs. For whatever reason these two foods must have reminded them of better days. So you can bet your bottom dollar, we tried our best to give them what they wanted. This recipe never ceases to remind me how blessed and fortunate I am.
- ½ c. light mayonnaise
- 1 T. Dijon mustard
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. dill weed
- ½ tsp. seasoned salt
- ½ c. finely chopped celery
- 1 lg. shallot, finely minced
- ½ c. thinly sliced green onion
- 1 lb. frozen petite peas, uncooked
- ½ c. chopped bacon, fried crisp, opt.
- ½ c. grated sharp cheddar cheese, opt.
- 1 c. salad shrimp, opt.
Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, pepper, dill weed, and seasoned salt together in a salad bowl. Add the celery, shallot, and green onions. Pour the package of frozen peas into a colander*. Run enough water over the peas to melt the ice crystals that may have formed around the peas. Let sit a couple of minutes to drain. Gently fold peas in with other salad ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. For variety, add bacon, cheese, or shrimp to the basic recipe.
*or if you are taking this salad to a potluck, for example, and won’t be eating it for several hours, just add the peas straight out of the freezer and they will thaw as you travel. Lovely way to make sure the salad is as fresh and crisp as possible.
