Potato Salad Season: Three Favourites

Potato salad is very personal;

everyone makes theirs differently.

TRISHA YEARWOOD

found on quotely.org

I've always loved a good potato salad. And it still is a family summertime favourite. Doing a Google search, I was somewhat surprised to learn how often potato salad is mentioned when people share their childhood summer memories. An integral part of the family tradition. Every family probably has their favourite version of it. My mom used to make a creamy dilled salad that I loved, and still do – with cooked potatoes, hardboiled eggs, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, in a creamy dill mayo dressing. I do enjoy making potato salad: chopping the potatoes, boiling the eggs, putting the dressing together and pouring it over still warm potatoes. Sampling as I go. 

Today I share two longtime favourites plus a new-to-me French Potato Salad which is declared a new favourite in our household.

Sour Cream Potato Salad

This recipe is based on the traditional mayo dressing with a twist. It became an instant favourite when a work colleague brought it to a staff luncheon years ago. It's the dressing that makes this recipe especially yummy. I love the contrast of the sweet-tart from the vinegar-mustard-brown sugar combo, and the sour cream mixed with the mayo makes it lighter and really creamy.

Salad Ingredients

3/4 cup diced cucumber

1/4 cup chopped green onions

6 cups diced potatoes

4 hard-cooked eggs (Once cooked, separate the yolks and whites.

Chop whites, add to salad. Mash yolks, add to dressing.)

Salad Dressing

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 Tablespoons white vinegar

3 Tablespoons brown sugar (or less, if you're watching sugars)

1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

1 teaspoon celery seed

salt and pepper, to taste

Mashed eggs yolks (see note under salad ingredients)

Mix dressing ingredients together.

Add to the salad.

The secret to great flavour in this salad is to dice the potatoes

raw and cook in salted water until tender, and to add the dressing

while cooked potatoes are still warm.

Serves 10 - 12 (unless you love it a lot!)

Potato Salad with Mint,

Onion, Capers

'Insalata di Patate Siciliana'

from Sun-Drenched Cuisine (1986)

by Marlena Spieler

This recipe is from a book I bought at a library book sale years ago. At first, I was unsure about using mint in a potato salad, but along with the onion and capers, it really is delicious. Alas, I have no photos of it for you.

I first served it at a long ago Canada Day celebration back in my single days. My housemate and I invited friends for a BBQ; we served salmon which paired nicely with the potato salad. My dear hubby Rick, who was still 'just a friend' at the time, was one of our guests. As you can guess, this recipe has special memories attached to it.

 

Salad Recipe

6 to 8 medium waxy potatoes, red or white

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil

1/4 cup (60 ml) red-wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon (1.5 ml) dried oregano leaves, crushed between your fingers

3 Tablespoons (45 ml) chopped fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon (5 ml) capers

1 medium tomato, cut into wedges or slices, for garnish

Boil or steam potatoes in their skins.

When cool, remove skins if desired and slice

(1/4 to 1/2 inch (6- to 12-mm) thickness).

Toss with everything except the tomato.

Serve immediately at room temperature, or serve chilled.

Garnish with tomato.

Serves 4 (small portions) 

French Potato Salad

Lorrie from Fabric Paper Thread recently mentioned she made French Potato Salad for a meal. I was intrigued and went in search of a recipe and found one that appealed to me. I made it last night for supper. It was delicious with grilled steaks.

Made with a Dijon vinaigrette, the recipe uses a variety of potatoes—such as purple fingerlings, red potatoes, and Yukon gold—and includes herbs like tarragon, parsley and chives. The author from feastingathome.com describes the dish as simple but deeply satisfying. I agree. As you see from the photo, it turned out beautifully and is now added to my 'favourites' collection. You can find the recipe HERE.

Does potato salad feature in your family summertime celebrations? Do you have a favourite version?

❦

Wishing you a beautiful weekend, and

maybe with a little potato salad on the side.

Brenda

Photo credits:

All salad photos are mine.

Mint photo is by Abdul from Pixabay.