Auntie Doris' Oklahoma Pea Salad

Well, she?s not really my Aunt ? but she?s been a lifelong friend. Doris gave me this recipe many years ago. I don?t know if it is her creation or if she got it from someone else - but it?s fabulous. It is a great side dish for a barbeque or for those holiday meals where you would like to serve peas ? but there are just too many things on the stove. This dish can be made ahead of time and brought from the fridge just before serving. It?s lip ?smackingly? delicious! And, I would guess that even people who say they don?t like peas will LOVE this salad!

Ingredients:

10 ? 12 oz bag of frozen petite peas
Dash of baking soda
Small jar of diced pimientos
4 green onions, chopped to the ends
3 ? 4 stalks of celery, finely chopped
½ - ¾ cup of cubed cheddar cheese
Mayonnaise, to taste
Seasoning Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the frozen peas and dash of baking soda. (The baking soda keeps the peas bright green.) Cook for 3 ? 4 minutes. Drain and run under cool water immediately.

Add the peas, pimientos, celery and green onions to a bowl. Add enough mayonnaise to make a nice dressing; mix well. Add the cheese, seasoning salt and pepper. Mix again, taste and adjust seasoning and mayo as needed.

Can be served immediately, or placed in the fridge to serve later.