Country people prefer dishes served in seven layers. The simplest of the 7-layer country specialties is 7-layer Jello. 7-layer Jello requires patience and persistence as one layer of Jello must set up before the subsequent layer is poured. Each layer is a different color and no canned fruit is included in the dish as is required when no layers are present.
7-layer dip is a popular dish at potlucks and graduation parties. When preparing 7-layer dip first place a layer of refried beans in a casserole dish to provide a base for the upper layers. Do not worry if the beans are of low quality since few country people will actually eat the layer of refried beans. After placing the beans in the dish cover them with sour cream, but omit the guacamole layer called for in the recipe. It is imperative that you omit the third layer of guacamole in your 7-layer dip if you wish for your dip to be pleasing to the country palate. After you have omitted the guacamole place layers of tomatoes and iceberg lettuce. If you wish to create an “ethnic dish” you may substitute the tomatoes with “salsa.” Top the dip with layers of shredded cheese and olives.
A 7-layer salad is a favorite country dish. The popularity of this dish that includes Miracle Whip, Bacon Bits, sugar and eight vegetables can be attributed to the nutritious value added to the country diet by the veggies. To fix 7-layer salad layer chopped iceberg lettuce lettuce, carrots, broccoli, celery, green pepper, onion, cucumber, and peas in a large bowl. Then pour a Miracle Whip and Sugar blend over the vegetables. Finally, top the dish wish additional layers of cheese and Bacon Bits.
Country desserts can also be layered. A example of a layered dessert is the 7-layer bar. Also known as Magic Cookies, these bars are fixed by layering butter, crushed graham crackers, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, condensed milk, and walnuts in a pan and baking until done.
Should you ever have the opportunity to cook for a potluck and your crockpot is busted, you should give a layered food strong consideration.
omg i forgot about the overnight 7 layer salad. it is so delicious. i totally want to make it for a potluck sometime soon, but it might be too country even for midwestern chicagoans…
Hah! I just made a bucketful of 7 layer salad, slightly altered, for a BBQ at a friends house in Williamsburg here in NYC.
One of my favorite passtimes is trying to give hipsters heart attacks and seducing vegans away from their erroneous ways.
My Forgotten Seven Layer Salad:
2 sm/med Iceberg lettuce large chop (10 cups)
2-3 cups red leaf lettucs (red part only) large chop
1 doz eggs, hard boiled (barely), sliced
2/3 cup red onion chopped
1 1/2 cup shopped celery
4 cups frozen peas (2pkgs) thawed
1 package bacon (16oz), fried crispy and crumbled
4 cups shredded mild cheddar
3 – 4 cups hellmans (miracle whip is uck, do not use)
3 – 4 Tbs sugar to taste.
1 Bell pepper chopped.
S&P to taste
Large clear straight sided dish/bucket if you have one
Mix mayo and sugar (takes a bit to dissolve)
Layer:
2/3 of the iceberg lettuce
Egg slices artfully arranged against the side of dish then cover iceberg. Season with s&p
Red lettuce
Celery
Peas
Red onion around side of dish
Remaining iceberg
Bacon
Cheese
Mayo mixture to seal edge to edge.
Chill 6 + hours, up to 24 or so.
Toss when ready to serve.