Crunchy Pea Salad

On first reading this classic recipe, you will have no idea how good it is. So don't read it. Just plow ahead. It's a great substitute for potato salad at a potluck or casual dinner. Everyone will ask you for the recipe; just tell them not to read it. Sometimes, the new retro is the old retro.

Hands-On Time: 20 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings as a side dish

1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vinegar (we used balsamic)
1 teaspoon sugar
Ground pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon Maggi seasoning (optional, but easy to find in the spice section of the supermarket)
1 10-ounce box tiny frozen peas, thawed and drained
1 cup salted peanuts
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/4 cup minced red onion (or 1 tablespoon grated red onion, if you don't want your kids to know it's in there)

1. Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, pepper, and Maggi until well combined. Gently stir in everything else. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.