This is a recipe for a hearty pea salad using frozen peas and made creamy with mayo, savory with bacon and delicious with cubed cheese. This easy Summer pea salad is perfect for pot lucks and gatherings.
I compiled The Estabrook Family Cookbook over ten years ago. I nagged my Mother’s side of the family; aunts, uncles, 1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins until I had enough recipes to create a respectable sampling of the food that graced our family tables while we were growing up. It was also a mission to capture some of my mother and aunts’ dishes. You know the ones. When you ask how they made it, the answer was that recipe had never been written down.
I’m surprised at myself that I’ve only blogged about a couple of recipes from this book. Well, that’s going to change as I’ll be posting a series of recipes from our family cookbook. First up is this Hearty Pea Salad. It’s one of the recipes that my cousin Chuck submitted. Chuck was the son of my Aunt Lena and Uncle Frank. They farmed land near Abbyville, Kansas, (population 87). It’s about eight miles from our family farm. Our families spent a lot of time together when I was growing up.
Chuck now lives in Kremlin, Oklahoma where he and Kim live and farm their family ranch/farm.
I didn’t remember this dish at family gatherings, so I sent a message off to Kim to inquire about it’s origin. She said they found it in some old church cookbook and tweaked it to their liking. I published this cookbook in 2003. Being a pea fan, I sticky noted it immediately. And now ten years later, I’m just now getting around to giving it a try. My loss for the lapse in time. It’s delicious and it went straight into my permanent database.
Growing up, the term “Salad Dressing” in our family, always referred to Miracle Whip. I usually have some on hand, but used mayonnaise for this batch. Creamy with mayonnaise, crunchy with bacon bits, and chewy with small cubes of sharp Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, seasoned with celery and sweet pickles, this is a great side dish for any entree.
Tip: I love to make this recipe with my Homemade Spicy Pickles. They give this dish a bit of a welcome kick.
And you can’t go wrong serving it with a grilled burger. Thanks Chuck and Kim for this recipe.
Recipe for Pot Luck Summer Pea Salad.
I hope you give this easy pea salad recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite pot luck salad recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.
A delicious and popular Summer BBQ side dish recipe.
- 16 ounces frozen peas cooked, drained
- 6 ounces small cubed Cheddar Cheese mild or sharp
- 3 hard cooked eggs chopped
- 1 Cup chopped celery
- 1/2 Cup chopped sweet pickles
- 2 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (my addition)
- 2 Tablespoons Cream
- 1/2 Cup Miracle Whip
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Combine first 6 ingredients, (peas through bacon). Mix cream and salad dressing. Stir dressing and salt into salad mixture. Chill overnight.
Hearty Pea Salad …It’s What’s for a Side dish.
Larry says
August 27, 2013 at 7:52 pmFirst of all the burger looks fantastic. I’ve always enjoyed this type of pea salad and you version sounds very good but I have to stick with the mayo and of course everything is better with bacon and cheddar.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:38 pmI’ve never had this pea salad until now. I will be enjoying it again. And bacon and cheddar? You get big yup from me.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
August 28, 2013 at 4:39 amGreat looking burger Lea Ann. I wish my mother had written down more of her recipes. She cooked from scratch from recipes in her head. Sadly we have practically none of those. BUT, I did find her one and only cookbook that she ever owned and much to my surprise, there were a couple of the recipes she had used in it. All I had to do was find the ones where the pages were dirty 🙂
Sam
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:37 pmSam, I have an ancient cookbook that my mom learned from and going through it, I’ve found some of her techniques that she learned from this book. I keep it in a plastic bag. It’s from the 30’s.
Karen Harris says
August 28, 2013 at 6:41 amI am so proud of you for writing this book. In my family we are relegated to mere memories of that great coconut cake grandma used to make or Mom’s wonderful Waldorf salad, without a true recipe to rely on. I do love pea salad. I believe it is actually called Iowa Pea Salad, and it seems that everyone, from Iowa or not have their own version. Yours looks delicious.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:36 pmReally? Iowa! Thanks for that information Karen. I’ll have to do a Google search for some history.
Chris says
August 28, 2013 at 7:49 amI have been enjoyed several family and friends of family recipes this year from my “Aunt” Myrna to recipes my mom got 45 years ago. It’s a taste down memory lane!
Hey, I wanted to introduce you to another blogger friend of mine who is rubbing Hatch chiles in my face:) Jason Griffin at http://griffinsgrub.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/hatch-chile-pork-stew/ I got to know him through the Big Green Egg community.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:35 pmThanks for the link. He’s as Hatch obsessed as me.
Happy Valley Chow says
August 28, 2013 at 8:41 amThat salad looks awesome, great recipe!
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:34 pmThanks Eric!
Vickie says
August 28, 2013 at 8:51 amNow that looks just like a Kansas family dinner!! I love my copy of this book, Lea Ann – you should do a giveaway. Just sayin. 🙂
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:34 pmI will do a giveaway. I only have 6 copies left, but will probably do a couple.
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
August 28, 2013 at 9:18 amOh gosh, I love pea salad and haven’t made it in ages. Think I have to change todays dinner menu. Sometimes I toss in a handful of chopped cashews if I have them. If I had this now I would eat it for breakfast.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:34 pmI’ve never made it until now. It’s really good.
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
August 28, 2013 at 9:22 amHi again, Lea Ann. Got so excited about the pea salad I forgot to mention your book. I think this is FANTASTIC! I have been working on just such a cookbook for what seems like forever. I’m trying to make sure I don’t leave anything out. I’ll be looking forward to your recipes. What a wonderful thing you have done to preserve your family heritage.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:33 pmThank you for your lovely comment Cathy. It was very rewarding.
Dave says
August 28, 2013 at 12:06 pmThat cookbook project sounds like something I should get started on too. The folks aren’t getting an younger.
I love this salad, but haven’t had it in forever. Thanks for bringing back my memories of this.
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:33 pmDave, it was really easier than you imagine. The companies that do this do so much of the work. The big job is to gather and proof read. And seeing the look on my Aunt’s faces when they received the books …. priceless!
Holly says
August 28, 2013 at 3:57 pmI think family recipes are such a great idea. What a wonderful way to strengthen your family ties through food and through generations. Looking forward to enjoying this pea salad and more recipes from your collection!
Lea Ann says
August 28, 2013 at 4:32 pmWhat a lovely comment Holly. Thank you.
Joan - My Cookie Clinic says
August 29, 2013 at 5:36 amLea Ann, I think it’s wonderful you are honoring your mother’s side of the family in this cookbook and passing along their recipes to current and future generations. I stopped by from Paula’s GYB party.
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2013 at 6:35 amThank you so much Joan. I don’t know why I’ve not done this before now. Heading over to take a look at your site.
Mary says
August 29, 2013 at 7:43 amI love that you compiled a family cookbook, LeeAnn! We did one 7-8 years ago as well and I love having so many food memories in one place.
Lea Ann says
August 29, 2013 at 8:04 amThank you Mary. I agree, and it was so satisfying to see the smile on my Aunt’s face when she saw this book. She bought so many to give to all of her friends.
ang says
August 29, 2013 at 8:39 amLee Ann
I love family cookbooks – I made one a few years ago after my grandmother passed… I was desperate to hold on to her anyway I could….
Anyhow, congrats on getting featured on the #GYBHop this week!
Happy Thursday!
Ang
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 1:53 pmThanks so much for stopping by and the comment. And good for you for getting that cookbook done! They are charished pieces. And thanks for that congrats. I was shocked and very pleased.
Rocky Mountain Woman says
August 29, 2013 at 9:42 amYum! Love the combo of bacon and cheddar with the creamy “dressing”…
Meghan @ Spoonful of Flour says
August 29, 2013 at 10:21 amWhat a good idea to write down all your family’s recipes. I wish I had all of our recipes in one place! Sometimes the old classics are the best!
Lea Ann says
January 26, 2014 at 2:14 pmThanks Meghan.
Karen says
August 29, 2013 at 11:04 amI love old family recipes. They make you feel connected somehow. I have some fresh peas from the farmers market in the freezer and am going to make this salad. It looks yummy.
Jenifer @ Not Quite Mom of the Year says
August 29, 2013 at 12:23 pmI love the idea of gathering recipes for a family cookbook Lee Ann! I think I’m stealing that idea! Stopping by from Grow Your Blog Networking party. Have a great weekend!
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 2:08 pmThanks so much for stopping by and the comment. It’s been fun meeting so many good bloggers from this party.
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
August 29, 2013 at 6:43 pmI think it’s neat that you made a cookbook with family recipes!
You know, I don’t really like pea salad but it’s because I don’t like peas. But your post takes me back to my childhood. My mom used to make pea salad to take to family gatherings! I’ll admit, the flavors of the sauce are good, I just can’t stand peas! Your salad does look delicious, though. 🙂
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 2:07 pmJulie, I’m getting similar comments about it being an old recipe. I’ve never had it. I’m surprised.
Danita @O Taste And See says
August 30, 2013 at 8:07 amThanks for stopping by my blog. Love that your family has a cookbook! What a wonderful idea. I love passing down family recipes and traditions. Great blog.
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 2:06 pmMy pleasure Danita. Nice to meet you through that Linky party.
Kathy says
August 31, 2013 at 8:09 amLean Ann, There’s nothing better than a collection of recipes handed down from generation to generation. Anytime I get the opportunity to purchase a cookbook from a church group, or a collection of family recipes, I jump at the chance. There’s no substitution for good old-fashioned cooking. Some of those recipes are true gems, and this looks one of those. I love peas and I love cheese…..can’t get better than that.
I’m just getting started in the blogging world…..one week old. My recipes also come from the heart. Hope you’ll stop by and say Hi @ Melding Magic.
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 2:00 pmYou bet I’ll stop by your site. I agree about those old books. I have a ton of them. Thanks so much for the visit and the comment.
lisaiscooking says
August 31, 2013 at 9:01 amThis reminds me of a pea salad my grandmother used to make. She used shredded cheese, I think. I always loved it, but I’d forgotten about it and have never made it myself. Thanks for bringing this back to mind!
Lea Ann says
August 31, 2013 at 1:59 pmI’m receiving so many comments like yours Lisa. I didn’t realize this was an old recipe. It was pretty much unknown to me until now. I really liked it. As always, thanks so much for stopping by and the comment.
Simply Sweet Justice says
September 4, 2013 at 8:33 pmGreat post! I put together a family cook book a few years ago, and it is so special to have!
Lea Ann says
January 26, 2014 at 2:13 pmI agree about those family cookbooks. I’m really glad I took the time to publish ours.
Lee ann says
November 27, 2013 at 5:35 pmWhat happens if you don’t have cream? Is it a must?