Baking with Lou - 7 Layer Salad

Two things that need to be said immediately, firstly, I know this is not baking ;-) and secondly this is in fact a 9 layer salad but for some unknown reason (which my mother might be able to explain) we have always called it a 7 layer salad. This is THE salad you will need on Boxing Day and indeed for any occasion where you have a number of people in need of a salad accompaniment. You need to make this salad the day before you intend to eat it or at least 6 hours before, all will be revealed in the ingredients. This recipe can be credited to someone my parents met during the period we call "the airforce days" it can also be credited to dividing the family in the way marmite can - some love it some hate it but the vast majority love it !!!

Ingredients

• 1 Iceberg lettuce
• 5 Celery sticks
• 2 Red peppers
• 1 Large or 2 small red onions (I love red onions so put quite a lot in)
• 4 / 5 Hard boiled eggs (I do like a hard boiled egg with a bit of salt & pepper so i there are any left over - Happy Days !!)
• Small bag of frozen peas
• 1 Jar mayonnaise
• 150g Grated cheddar cheese
• 8 Rashers of streaky bacon cooked until really crispy - leave this off if you have vegetarians

Required kit

• Large bowl (I like to use a glass one so the layers can be seen in all their glory)
• Chopping board
• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• Small pan (to boil the eggs)
• Frying pan or grill (to cook the bacon)
• Grater (to grate the cheese ;-)

Instructions

First thing to do is get your bacon cooking and your eggs on to boil. Whilst this is happening start your chopping. The iceberg needs to be roughly chopped and put into the bottom of your bowl, this is layer #1. Next chop your celery between about .5cm I think - layer #2. Red pepper is next which I cut into small squares and spread on top of the celery - layer #3. The red onion comes next so peel and cut in half then slice thinly and once I have done this I cut the sliced halves into quarters (makes it easier to eat), spread the onion on top of the red pepper - layer #4. Now you need your eggs so hopefully they will be well boiled by now, get them in a bowl of cold water to help them cool down, once cool get the shells off and put them in cold water again, they want to be cold before you add them to the salad. The eggs should be sliced length ways and then evenly distributed on top of the onion - layer #5. Next comes the frozen peas, tip the peas over the egg layer until the eggs are completely covered - layer #6. Now let the fun commence, the mayonnaise is next, put a lot of good dollops all over the peas cause spreading this without taking the peas with you is a skill in itself - layer #7. Next you need to grate your cheese and spread this over the mayonnaise - layer #8 and finally, if you are adding it, chop up your bacon and sprinkle over the top - layer #9 and there you have it THE best salad for any occasion !!!!