7 Layer Salad Recipe - Great for Summer Picnics

A 7 Layer Salad is a great summer time side dish. It's one of those salads that can be prepared well ahead of an event or picnic, and easily carried along. For a beautiful presentation, use a glass serving bowl to show off the layers.

Where I come from, the Seven Layer Salad is a must at most family and holiday get togethers. Try it for your Fourth of July Picnic or Barbecue. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
salt and pepper
6 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
8 to 16 ounces bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese or crumbled Blue cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup sliced green onion with tops
paprika

Preparation:

Put 3 cups of the iceberg lettuce in bottom of large glass bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Layer egg slices over lettuce in bowl and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Continue to layer the remaining ingredients in this order: peas, remaining lettuce, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese, along with light sprinklings of salt and pepper. Combine the mayonnaise and sugar; spread evenly over top, spreading to edge of bowl to cover entire salad.

Cover and chill 24 hours or overnight. Garnish with green onion and a little paprika. Toss just before serving.

This salad serves 12 to 15.