Old Fashioned Mac and Pea Salad

I love going to the garden in early spring and picking the Sweet Green Peas, they are good just straight off the vine. I was picking peas the other day and thought I need to make the Mac and Pea Salad with these fresh peas. I remember eating this salad at my Mothers and at my Aunts house when I was growing up and it is one of my favorite spring salads. This is a great salad for picnic's, covered dish dinners, and family get together's or maybe just a special evening to remember a great recipe from your childhood. Some recipes change through the years as they are passed down from generation to generation, but this one has remained the same in our family, it is good just the way it is, as my Grandmother would say, no need to change it.

Old Fashioned Mac and Pea Salad

This Salad Is Great For A Picnic
or
A Covered Dish Dinner

Serve For A Family Get Together

Serve It In Bowls or Small Plates

Old Fashioned Mac and Pea Salad

Miz Helen's Kitchen

Ingredients

1 pound (16 oz) dry elbow macaroni

4 cups fresh or frozen green peas

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 cup chopped pimento's with juice

1 cup miracle whip

3 cups american cheese, cubed small

1 tablespoon parsley

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoon pepper

dash cayenne pepper

Directions

Cook the macaroni according to package directions, drain then rinse with cold water, set aside.

If you are using fresh peas, shell the peas then blanche the peas for 3 minutes, drain, and cool in ice cold water.

If you are using frozen peas, pour the peas into a colander and run hot water over them to thaw just enough to loosen the peas.

In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked macaroni, peas, onion,bell pepper, miracle whip, pimento's, and cheese, mix well.

Add the seasons and mix well.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving and it is better if you can chill overnight. The longer it sits the better it gets.

Options:

Mayonnaise can be substituted for the miracle whip.

Mayonnaise can be mixed half and half with sour cream or Greek Yogurt.

Red onion or green onions can be substituted for the yellow onion.

Ham, Bacon and cured smoked sausage can be added.

Enjoy!

Go Ahead Have Seconds!

Thanks so much for stopping by to enjoy one of our family favorites with us today. Hope you have a fantastic week and come back to see us soon!

Peace and Joy

Miz Helen
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