Popcorn Salad

The church that we went to when we lived in the little town 20 miles from us has an annual salad luncheon -- and they've done it for 29 years.

Of course, when we lived in that town and went to that church, I was involved in the luncheon -- from being the decorating chairman, to food committee, to chairman of the whole event!

Even after we moved, I've always attended the luncheon and it is definitely a highlight of June. I always take a carload of prairie friends with me and we enjoy sampling and tasting and some of my best salads have come from this salad luncheon.

This year they had a really different salad -- popcorn salad. Not popcorn shrimp but real popcorn!




It did look a little strange -- a bowl of popcorn on the salad table but . . . . I had been told that was one of the offerings this year and so was very curious to sample that salad. Daughter Sarah, when I told her about it said that her company cafeteria (in Minnesota) had the salad twice a month and her co workers got really excited when it was "popcorn salad day"!

With great surprise, I found that it was one of my favorite offerings of this salad luncheon. The taste was surprisingly good.
It's not a salad that I will make for just the two of us, but at our next church potluck it may be my dish of choice to take. Partly because it is good but partly because of the novelty of the salad.

If you want to take the dish that's the most talked about at your next potluck, I suggest taking this salad!

POPCORN SALAD

2 cans water chestnuts, well drained and diced
1/2 c. thinly sliced onions
2 c. diced celery
1/2 c real bacon, crumbled
2/3 c sugar
1 7 oz. bag popcorn (they used white)
2 c. grated Cheddar cheese
2 c. light mayonnaise
2 T. cider vinegar

Mix water chestnuts and next four ingredients ina large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk mayo, sugar and vinegar together. Pour over water chestnut mixture. Just before serving gently fold in one 7 oz. bag of popcorn. Serve immediately. Popcorn will shrink after it sits.