Bring A Dish of Whirled Peas

Very often at this holiday season we are gently asked to "Bring a dish!" to a gathering.  Not that they won't let you in without one, but make sure you have small bills on you.

Both of the following dishes can be made the day before, giving you plenty of time for a make-over and outfit picking on The Day.

This recipe comes to us from South Texas where it is apparently a staple.  My cousin Robert insisted on taking us out to lunch at a favorite restaurant of his.  It was a cafeteria-style place quite literally out in the country, located at a crossroads traveled by few, other than livestock and ranchers.    No, no cows in the dining room.  But on plates?  'Whole 'nother question.

PEA SALAD
a smallish bag of frozen small peas,  defrosted and drained
6 strips cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 of a red onion, chopped
small blocks of cheddar cheese are optional
Toss together

Dressing
3 T mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teas. white vinegar
Toss again

Mix and store in the refrigerator until needed.

Years ago, Gale brought her mother's pea salad to a Thurs. Writers gathering.  I fell in love.  Again, it's a do ahead of time with no ill effects.

GALE'S MOTHER'S PEA SALAD
I use a rectangular ceramic dish with  1 1/2 in. high sides.  This is an extremely attractive dish and presentation should show it off.

1 small head of iceberg lettuce, cored and coarsely chopped
1 10 oz.package of frozen small peas, defrosted and drained
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 can drained, sliced water chestnuts
5 or strips bacon cut in 1 in. pieces  and  cooked
5 or 6 hardboiled eggs, quartered
Parmesan cheese

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 T sugar
1/4 cup Parmesan
Beat together

Line the bottom of the serving dish with the lettuce
Drop in the frozen peas and smooth out over the lettuce
Sprinkle the chopped green onions
Add the water chestnut slices
As smoothly as you can, spread the dressing over the whole thing
Garnish with the quartered hardboiled eggs and bacon.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.

And at the event, do not under any circumstances, talk politics.  We are going for whirled peas.