Festive Layered Salad

Festive Layered Salad

1 cup small macaroni shells
4 cups shredded Romaine lettuce
4 carrots, pared and cut into 2-inch sticks
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen green peas, thawed
1 small red onion, halved, sliced crosswise and separated into rings
1/2 pound piece cooked ham, cut into 1/2 in cubes (2 cups), optional
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or Cheddar)(2 oz)
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 tsp curry powder
2 hard cooked eggs, cut into wedges

Cook macaroni shells following package directions. Drain well in a colander. Cool to room temperature.

Place lettuce in an even layer in the bottom of a 3-quart clear glass bowl. Arrange the carrot sticks in an even layer over the lettuce. Cover with a layer of macaroni, then the peas, onion and ham. Sprinkle the top with the cheese.

Combine the mayonnaise and curry powder in a small bowl. Mound the dressing in the center of the salad. Arrange the egg wedges around the dressing. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill several hours.

Just before serving, toss well to coat. (Or you can leave it in the layers and it will get mixed as it gets dished up.)

Serves 8

This was titled 'Festive Layered Salad' from the Family Circle 1984 clipping! This was a potluck classic... and if we were lucky, there would be leftovers the next day, when it was even tastier, if possible. I often crave this salad... though it's slightly large for a meal for one!