Conference and Seven-Layer Salad

Today I watched the last two sessions of the LDS General Conference.  I love General Conference because I learn ways I can improve the way I think, live and behave.  Great as always!  I also love General Conference because it is a family tradition to get together and fix great food!  Every six months we have a family "holiday" centered on General Conference.

So one of the family food traditions we had today is Seven-Layer Salad, a recipe my mom first got almost 40 years ago when she and my dad moved to Iowa for the first of many times.  We don't make it with a recipe anymore, so I'll try to approximate the ingredient amounts.  What is hilarious is there are eight layers, not seven!

We must have a song for today, of course!  Since the speakers in General Conference suggest ways to improve our lives, today's song is "Ain't Misbehavin'" written and sung by Fats Waller.

SEVEN-LAYER SALAD

1 lb. maple bacon
1 head of lettuce
2/3 cup light mayonnaise
2 T. sugar
16 oz. bag of frozen peas, thawed on paper towels

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green or red bell pepper, chopped

3 ribs of celery, chopped

8-12 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded

Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.  (This helps keep the salad fresh and excess water drained.

Cut bacon into small pieces.  Cook.  Drain on paper towels and let cool.

Wash lettuce.  Cut into strips.  Lay in a 9"x13" pan.

Mix mayonnaise and sugar in a small bowl.  Drop by dollops onto lettuce and carefully spread over lettuce.

Spread peas over mayonnaise mixture to form a thin layer.

Layer onion, then pepper, then celery to create three layers.

Spread cheese over pan.  Put cooled bacon on top.

Cover with plastic wrap tightly and refrigerate until ready to eat.