THE-LOOKER-THAT-LASTS SALAD

This salad is also known as the ‘24-hour salad’, a name that certainly does not match the pizazz of this beautiful, scrumptious salad that really lasts longer than a day. It is also versatile because layers can be omitted and replaced with other ingredients, such as spaghetti carrots. The recipe was passed down to my mom from her sister in the early 1980s and became a regular on our Christmas table, which usually entails a variety of cold meats and other salads. My family is rather chatty, and, as such, it is not uncommon for food to get burned, forgotten in the microwave, or simply not made. This salad is a stalwart for any busy chatty cook!

The talking cure … Much of what psychologists do happens in the background or behind closed doors and usually involves talking or communicating. We ask people their opinions in research, their responses on an assortment of tests, and therapy is widely considered a talking activity and cure. Also, what psychologists do is often layered and may seem rather complex from the outside.  The layered salad is similar; it may look like the cook made something quite complicated, but this is not true. The layers of the salad beautifully ‘talk’ to one another. It is also preferable to complete the layering before the guests arrive. The hostess or host can then delight in joining the company and conversing with friends or family, knowing that the salad is ready.

METHOD

In a clear glass bowl, layer the ingredients as follows: 

1. Scatter shredded lettuce in the bottom of the bowl. 

2. Now continue layering using the rest of the ingredients listed. 

3. End the layering with the mayonnaise, and lastly, sprinkle the cheese on top

INGREDIENTS

Iceberg lettuce, shredded. ................................................................300 g 
Celery, chopped ................................................................................100 g 
Hard-boiled eggs, sliced ................................................................4 units
Uncooked peas, defrosted ...............................................................150 g 
Red/yellow sweet bell peppers, sliced ............................................125 g 
Sweet corn........................................................................................ 273 g 
Red onion, chopped .........................................................................110 g
Bacon, fried and cubed ...................................................................113 g 
Good quality mayonnaise............................................................... 482 g 
Cheddar cheese, grated ..................................................................151 g