Pea Salad
I know that there are people out there always looking for something new, something they wouldn’t expect. I remember growing up in a small town, and my sister absolutely loovveeeddd this pea salad that we would get from the local Papa Murphy’s. When they stopped making it, she was devastated.
Luckily, for her, one of the employees was friends with our mom, and we were friends with her daughter. She told us how simple it was to make! Lettuce, peas, mayo, and parmesan. For the past 8 years or so, I’ve been requested to make this dish for holidays, BBQs, birthday parties, or just as a side dish.
I have made a few improvements over time, just to change things up here and there. It’s incredibly refreshing, and can be made the night before!
Here’s what to do:
Ingredients:
Romaine Lettuce
Frozen Peas
Mayo
Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Bacon Bits (we like the real kind)
Chopped Red Onion
Ham Deli Meat
Salt & Pepper
Lemon Juice (from 1 whole lemon)
Start chopping the lettuce into bite sized pieces. While the head of Romaine is intact, cut lengthwise into quarters, then slice those into manageable pieces. Depending on the size of the head, it should work out without having to take up too much of your time. I always wash my lettuce AFTER I slice it, just to make sure that everything gets clean enough.
Pull out a casserole dish, mine is 9”x13”. Fill it up about halfway with lettuce, drizzle lemon juice on top, then toss around. This will keep your lettuce tasting fresh, especially when made ahead of time.
Slice up the deli ham into bite sized pieces and layer over the top. A good few handfuls should do it.
Next, break up the frozen peas while the bag is still sealed. It makes it easier to spread them around. Pour enough peas on top to completely cover the ham and lettuce. I few small pieces of lettuce sticking out is okay, but it’ll make the next step easier.
Using a rubber spatula, gently spread a layer of mayo over the peas. Try not to disturb as many as possible (which can be pretty difficult). Just go slow and take your time.
Once you’ve got the mayo spread, add the salt and pepper. It doesn’t take much, so it’s all really to taste. Add a good layer of the grated parmesan, then finish off with the red onion and bacon bits.
Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. If you’re making it the night before, make sure you cover your dish!
When I make this, I don’t always use either the ham or the onion, or both. And it still tastes great. Try it out for yourself and let us know what you think!
