This 9 Layer Salad is a twist on the 7 layer salad I grew up on but I add salted cashews and avocados for even more flavor.
Usually upon returning from a Food Bloggers Conference I’m filled with inspiration and come home wanting to bake and blog.
I mean last year at IFBC they had Dorie Greenspan speak and so how was I not going to get inspired by that?
This year while it was a good time and I got to meet bloggers I had wanted to meet in real life for quite some time, I didn’t really leave inspired if we are being honest.
Though part of that is that my step-daughter gave MDP and me her cold and mostly I am inspired to eat carbs and lay around.
Sometimes I even get a little defeated when I go to blogging conferences.
For while I am all for making money food blogging (I know I need to in order to keep up with the cost of blogging), I do get disheartened with how many people are now going into it with the main goal of profiting from blogging.
And sometimes I think to myself why exactly is it that I keep blogging?
The answer is because of comments like this:
“De-lurking and sending all positive vibes your way.
It’s probably time that I thanked you for completely changing part of my relationship with my hubby of 25 years.
He was very puzzled a while ago when he went to caress my tummy in bed and I didn’t flinch.
For the first time.
I told him he had “Peabody” to thank….
He just smiled and said ” I love that dog”.
You change peoples lives…. I hope you know that. Huge hugs.
I wish I could make you feel better as you did me.”
I came home from the conference to read that comment.
A reminder that even if I only make one person’s life better it’s sooo worth writing the blog.
I actually keep a journal of all the amazing comments like these for emergencies of when I don’t feel like blogging anymore. 🙂
Oh and if you want to know what that comment is in reference to, it’s this post HERE.
When we don’t really feel like cooking/baking around these parts we make this salad.
Lots of people have different versions of a 7 layer salad.
Mine of course is probably the worst for you…aka the yummiest. 🙂
Mine is also 8 layers…and usually 9 but I couldn’t find a good avocado this time at the store.
But if you don’t really feel like cooking but want a tasty dinner make this.
P.S. It’s a great day to buy my cookbook Holy Sweet!
Want More Salad Recipes?
Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
9 Layer Salad
Ingredients
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped (if lazy like me just one smaller bag of American salad mix)
- 1 10 oz bag of frozen peas
- 2 cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 10 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup salted cashews
- 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- Avocado if you can find a good one
- Dressing:
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. seasoning salt
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Place greens in a large glass bowl (if you don’t have one that’s fine you just can’t see the pretty layers without it is all).
- Layer with peas, then water chestnuts.
- In a medium bowl whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
- Spread the dressing on top of the water chestnut layer.
- Add the cheese, bacon, and egg layers.
- Place in fridge overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Remove from fridge and add cashews (that way they stay crunchy) and if using avocado.
- This is best enjoyed on the first day or else it starts to go soggy.
Mia says
I’m so glad you blog…
Ashley says
I have loved salads like this since I was a kid. They were at every church potluck and I thought they were great.
They always felt so magic, more than normal salads, because of the layers. I think this needs to be dinner soon!
KB says
My mom has a seven-layer salad recipe I make for her a lot, but hers is about twelve layers unless I can group six different kinds of chopped veggies into one “layer.” I’ve never added water chestnuts, though, and I know she loves them. Going to try it next time! 🙂
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Agreed! I sometimes feel completely overwhelmed and out of my league when it comes to blogging. I barely have a grasp on what SEO is and how it works let alone the effects of links in posts and the titles of pictures. Things I do not have the time or energy to figure out. I do the best I can but in the end I just want to make delicious food and share the recipes. I find I have more fun when I stop worrying about all that other stuff. And yay for that comment!!
Becky says
Hi there, I just wanted to drop by your blog and say how nice it was to meet you at IFBC! And wow, what a amazing comment you had on your blog while you were gone… that’s what we should all be striving for – caring and helping others!! I look forward to reading your blog more AND making this dip… cashews, bacon AND avocado- yum!! Take care, Becky
Diane {Created by Diane} says
what a super-fun salad!!!
sara says
Yum! This looks fabulous. 🙂