Mama’s go-to-dinner recipe is her secret Laughing Cow Peas, a dinner that
Addie Mae ruins. Jenny's a better cook, as Addie Mae says, “Best thing
about Jenny’s cooking was that it healed much as satisfied.”
Why did Mama call it her Laughing Cow Peas recipe? The cow is laughing because while the dish always had milk, peas and noodles, Mama made the dish differently each time—depending what she had on hand. And that was the secret! Here’s my imagining of Mama’s recipe. Make it with a wooden spoon as Mama did
We made two varieties: one with noodles, cheese and peas and another with noodles, cheese and mixed sautéd vegetables and toasted almonds.
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Hope they satisfy.
Mama’s Laughing Cow Peas
Serves 6-8
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1 package favorite noodles or pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil, butter, margarine--what you have on hand
3 cups frozen peas or fresh if you're lucky
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1/3 cup cream or milk
3 sprigs fresh parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried
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Make noodles according to recipe. Before you drain the noodles, stir in the peas, then drain..
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Put noodles and peas in a large bowl. Add parsley. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
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Over low heat, add milk or cream to a pot and add in cheese, stirring until thickened.
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Pour over noodles and toss gently. Correct seasoning.
Mama's Laughing Cow Peas Recipe from Trusting the Currents
Expand the Table
Dairy Free: Use nondairy milk and vegan cheese.
Add some meat: 2 cups—cooked julienned ham or chicken, sautéed ground beef, lamb or turkey, crumbled bacon.
Make it light: Substitute milk for cream
Pile the veggies on: Add sliced and sautéed vegetables of your liking: onions, shallots, grape tomatoes, zucchini or yellow squash. Add steamed broccoli or cauliflower, cut into bite sized pieces.
Are you nuts? Add slivered almonds, toasted
