Cornbread Salad!!!

Only in the south would we take something like cornbread and turn it into a salad and since my blog name is Sweet Tea and Cornbread, I thought this was a very appropriate recipe.  And in addition to all of that, it is delicious.  When I first heard of this salad, I thought it sounded sort of weird, but I gave it try anyway and it was huge hit.   It's also very pretty and it's  perfect for a cookout or summer party. 

Here is what you will need:

1 pan of your favorite cornbread or you can use a box of Jiffy cornbread mix prepared, 1/2 cup vidalia or sweet onion, 1/2 cup green pepper, 1 can ranch or chili beans (drained) or kidney beans will also work, 1 can niblets corn (drained),  5-6 slices crisp bacon, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese,  1 pkg ranch dressing mix blended with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup sour cream to make the dressing.  Be sure you blend these together well. 

Take 1/2 cornbread and cut in cubes.  Place in the bottom of a tall trifle dish or a big glass salad bowl.  A clear bowl just looks prettier because the layers show. 

 Drain the beans well and put over the cornbread layer.  Next put half the onion and half the green pepper. Pour half the dressing over this layer.  Cut the rest of the cornbread in cubes and do another layer of cornbread.  Drain corn well and put it over this layer. Sprinkle the rest of the onion and green pepper over this. 

Finish the top with the rest of the ranch dressing mix, the grated cheese and the bacon crumbled. 

I have added tomato as an optional ingredient to this recipe.  It does look pretty. I add it around the edges right at the end. 

 Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.  This is best made early in the day and refrigerated for several hours to blend the flavors.  I wouldn't make it the day before though because it could get soggy.   This will be  big hit! 

Ingredients:

1 recipe cornbread

1 can niblets corn

1 can ranch beans, chili beans or kidney beans

1/2 cup sweet onion diced

1/2 cup green pepper diced

2 cups cheddar cheese grated

5-6 slices bacon fried crisp

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

1 large tomato diced (optional)