Southern English Pea Salad

This Southern English pea salad is a refreshing and delicious side dish, perfect for any gathering. Made with peas, bacon, herbs, and a creamy dressing, it’s sure to be a hit at your next potluck or holiday dinner.

It’s the perfect side dish for Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. I don’t know where English pea salad originated from, or why it’s so dang good considering it’s the world’s shortest list of ingredients, but I do know that any time someone shares a photo of a Southern Potluck or church spread, there’s that pea salad!

Last Fourth of July, we had Cade’s mom, brother, and his family and a friend over for a fun day of swimming and eating. Yes, I did wear a red bathing suit. Yes, I did get mistaken for the lifeguard 100 times. I have had the worst time trying to find a bathing suit that wasn’t cut crazy high or crazy low all year and this one I love, though I will watch where I wear it now. 

But back to the BBQ — we swam, the kids became exhausted, and we headed back to the house where we cooked up classic burgers thanks to our 2 hamburger secrets post, and a selection of our favorite summer salads including this green pea salad, our tomato mozzarella salad, and Nancy’s Southern Grape Salad. We finished the night off with our dreamiest Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting EVER.

Green pea salad is considered to be low-carb, gluten-free, and a slightly healthier option to pasta salad (though we have a pasta version of this recipe too if you prefer). But this doesn’t mean it’s straight up healthy — it contains bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise, after all.

What Ingredients Do I Need for This Salad Recipe?

Although English pea salad has a few different names, it’s all the exact same thing — cold pea salad. You may hear it called pea salad, English Pea Salad, Southern Pea Salad, Green Pea Salad, or, as we’ve called it, Southern English Pea Salad.

Here’s what goes into this easy potluck side dish recipe: 

• Frozen Peas
• Mayonnaise
• Apple Cider Vinegar 
• Salt and Pepper
• Red Onion
• Bacon
• Cheese (Colby Jack or Cheddar Cheese is our favorite)

Some recipes also call for hard-boiled eggs, which we left out this time as I’m really enjoying it as a straight up pea salad lately. I’ve added it into the recipe as optional in case

Easy Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Cilantro lime cauliflower rice has been our favorite side dish lately. We are always looking for healthy sides that compliment our main dish and round out a meal. This dish is light and bright with a punch of lime and fresh cilantro.

We often like to double down on veggies for a meal rather than doing a carb, so this cauliflower rice, or cauli-rice, acts like rice but without all the carbs.

Serve this up with our steak fajitas, pork carnitas, or smothered honey lime chicken burritos! It is the perfect compliment to any Mexican meal. Here are all our favorite Mexican main dishes so you can find the one that speaks to you!

What is Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice is cauliflower that has been chopped up into tiny pieces that resemble grains of rice in size and texture. It can be made at home by putting cauliflower florets in a food processor or it can be purchased already chopped at the grocery store.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

When it comes to easy side dishes, this one is right up there with the easiest. If you don’t buy cauliflower rice pre-chopped, take your head of cauliflower, remove the core and leaves, and break it into florets. Place the florets into your food processor or blender and pulse it until you have small pieces similar to the size of rice grains.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, garlic and cumin and cook until it is fragrant (about a minute). Then add the cauliflower rice, lime juice, lime zest and cilantro and salt to taste and stir everything together. Cook it while stirring until it starts to turn brown slightly. It will take about 5-8 minutes. Serve it up with more fresh cilantro and enjoy!

How to Make Cauliflower Rice Not Soggy

I have found that the key to keeping cauliflower rice not soggy or mushy is to pan fry it or roast it in the oven. With just a little olive oil, the cauliflower will cook up just great on the stove top. Cauliflower stores a lot of moisture inside it, so it doesn’t need any extra moisture added to cook it. Once the cauliflower has been pulsed, you can squeeze it in a cheesecloth to omit some of the extra water.

How Many Carbs are in Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower is a popular low carb vegetable because it is so versatile. A cup of raw cauliflower contains just 5 grams of carbohydrates and 3 of those grams are fiber. That’s just 2 grams of digestible carbs!

For this recipe, 1 cup of cauli-rice is 71 calories and only 6 carbs.

Is Cauliflower Gluten Free?

Yes! Cauliflower is gluten free. This recipe is gluten free too and

Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks

A sweet potato recipe that is cheesy and buttery with a burst of fresh thyme! If you want a recipe for sweet potatoes that is a little outside the box but glorious, you have to try these Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks!

Every Christmas we make a cheesy potato dish with gruyere cheese. They are stacked high in a muffin tin and get all crispy and wonderful. This year we decided to make them with sweet potatoes, and we are obsessed with the sweet and salty flavor of these Cheesy Gruyere Sweet Potato Stacks!

I know when we think of sweet potato side dishes, we think of brown sugar and marshmallows, but I’m telling you, friends, the sweetness of the sweet potatoes paired with the saltiness of the cheeses makes the angels sing! And that fresh pop of thyme…I’m happy dancing around the kitchen! Arms waving, eyes closed, licking my lips and my bootie shakin’…you get that visual?!

How to Make Sweet Potato Stacks

I like to get the sweet potatoes prepared first. Peel two large sweet potatoes and then slice them. We always use our favorite mandoline to get those thin perfect slices, but you could totally do it by hand if you don’t have a mandoline. Let’s see those mad knife skills!

When your sweet potatoes are prepped, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. You will use all 12 cups of the muffin tin. Place the sweet potatoes in a bowl and add the melted butter. Stir thoroughly, separating the sweet potato slices by hand if needed. You want everything deliciously coated in butter!

Combine the cheeses, salt, garlic and thyme in a medium bowl or plastic bag. Place two slices of sweet potato into each cup and scoop one teaspoon of the cheese and spices mixture into each cup and repeat the layers until you reach the top of each cup. Be sure your last layer is cheese! You’ll want that yummy cheesy goodness on top!

Place the pan in the oven carefully (you don’t want those perfectly constructed stacks to tip over)! Tent the muffin pan with a piece of foil and be sure the foil does not touch the top of the potatoes. The cheese will stick and then you’ll lose that top cheesy layer (tragedy!). Bake for 15 minutes with the foil and then remove it and bake an additional 30 minutes or until the cheese is starting to turn golden. Scoop those golden delicious stacks from the pan with a large spoon and and serve them hot!

What to Eat with this Sweet Potato Recipe?

This is a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Try it along side our Turkey in a Bowl for Thanksgiving or with Prime Rib for Christmas! But you don’t need a holiday to make these! They go great with just about any meal…steak, Read more

Holiday Acorn Squash Recipe

This acorn squash recipe is a sweet and savory holiday side dish featuring roasted acorn squash. Toss with herbs and spices, then roast until tender. Finish the dish with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Season with extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup.

Cade says that is the best side dish I’ve ever made. And that is saying something, because we have some great ones here on the blog (I’m thinking of you, homemade focaccia and gruyere sweet potato stacks!)! This acorn squash recipe is both Thanksgiving and Christmas worthy! You’re going to LOVE it!

Recommended Equipment

• Sharp Knives
• Baking Sheet

Before You Begin…

You’ll want to start by toasting the pepitas (pumpkin seeds)! This adds such a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

Ingredients for Holiday Acorn Squash

Okay, this ingredients list is going to look a bit daunting at first glance, but don’t run away! Many of the ingredients are seasonings that you’ll already have. Here is what you will need:

For the Pepitas

• Pumpkin Seeds: also known as pepitas
• Olive Oil: helps toast the pumpkin seeds
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, and Chili Powder

For the Squash

• Acorn Squash: If you’re not a fan of acorn squash, you can use butternut or honeynut.
• Pure Maple Syrup: You want the real deal here, no imitation pancake syrup!
• Orange: We will use the juice and zest for a pop of fresh citrus flavor.
• Butter: helps the acorn roast and get golden and caramelized
• Seasonings: Ground Cinnamon, Fresh Ginger, Smoked Paprika, and Cardamom Powder

• Pomegranate: You can extract the seeds yourself from a pomegranate (see section below) or just buy pomegranate seeds.
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich flavor
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: used to toast and crisp the sage leaves
• Sage Leaves: adds flavor and crunch
• Thyme: used as garnish for the squash and adds fresh herby flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Feta: You can use goat cheese instead or omit the cheese if you want.

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

What are Pomegranate Arils?

Pomegranate arils are the clear red seed pod in the pomegranate. They are tart and give you a nice pop of juice and flavor

Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Instant Pot)

Buttery creamy mashed potatoes all done in 30 minutes in the Instant Pot! This is the best mashed potatoes recipe for Thanksgiving!

Yes, we have the perfect mashed potato recipe already posted on the blog, but I love that this recipe can all be done in the Instant Pot freeing up the stove top for other things (hello No Fuss Stuffing!). And the flavor of Yukon gold potatoes just can’t be beat!

Use your Instant Pot for these delicious mashed potatoes your entire family will enjoy. This step-by-step recipe will help you get the perfect consistency and taste.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

You only need 5 ingredients to make these perfect mashed potatoes. Here is what you will need:

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: You will need about 8 potatoes (or 4-5 large).
  • PRO TIP: You can also use Russet potatoes if desired, but the taste of Yukon gold is unbeatable.
• Salt: Adds flavor
• Cream Cheese: Use full fat, no low fat or fat free.
• Whole Milk: Cream can also be used.
• Butter: Adds flavor and richness

The measurements for each ingredient are listed in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot. It’s easy peasy!

1. Set the cream cheese out to come to room temperature.
2. Melt the butter on the stove top or in the microwave.
3. Peel and quarter the potatoes.
4. Add the potatoes to the Instant Pot and add enough water to cover them. Add the salt.
5. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and seal it. Set to manual high heat and pressure cook for 8 minutes.
6. Measure the milk in a glass measuring cup and warm the milk in the microwave.
7. When the potatoes are done, quick release the IP and drain the potatoes. Leave the potatoes in the pot and let them steam dry for a few minutes.
8. Smash the potatoes with a potato masher or ricer. Then add the butter and stir, and then add the cream cheese and warmed milk.
9. Season to taste.

The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. Keep scrolling for all the details!

Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

The best potatoes for mashing are the starchy potatoes – Yukon gold, Russet or Idaho. They have a fluffy texture that breaks down easily while mashing.

Variations

If you want to add additional flavors to the