Southern Pea Salad (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 1 (16-ounce) package of frozen sweet peas, thawed (canned peas work too).
02 - 2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped.
03 - 4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup of cooked and chopped ham, optional).
04 - 1/2 cup of chopped green onions (substitute with regular onions if preferred).
05 - 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to use your favorite cheese).
06 - 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
07 - 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
08 - 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
09 - 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds (or 1/2 cup of chopped celery).
10 - A sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
11 - 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.
12 - 1/2 cup of sour cream.

Instructions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed sweet peas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon or chopped ham (if using), chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
02 - Sprinkle in the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, celery seeds (or chopped celery), and a dash of cayenne. Stir thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
03 - In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until they form a smooth mixture. Pour this dressing over the pea mixture and gently stir to coat all the ingredients.
04 - Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This time allows the flavors to blend together wonderfully.
05 - Serve this Classic Southern Pea Salad as a refreshing side dish at your next barbecue or family gathering. It’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s bound to become a new favorite!.