One thing I learned from my mom, who always a makes a famous potato salad, is the simpler the better. Potato salad can become a hodge podge of spices and add-ins- but it gets to be too much. They overpower the classic potato salad. Roll your eyes if you must- but I promise every time me or my mom make this we get asked for the recipe. Sometimes less is more, and even the pickiest of eaters will love this potato salad.
This is the same recipe my grandma made, and her grandma made. I can picture my mom and grandma standing over a sink peeling steaming boiled potatoes with a pairing knife. Then dicing and mixing and us kids standing around hoping for a taste.
Then we would all gather round outside eating and talking on the warm summer evenings. Eating sloppy joes, hot dogs, fruit salads and baked beans. Potato salad is so perfect for the summer because its served cold and is so refreshing.
Crunchy celery, hard boiled eggs, firm potatoes, fresh herbs and creamy sauce. Let it marry in the fridge till nice and cold and you have the perfect potato salad.
The Potatoes
There are several different potatoes people love to use. Some swear by red potatoes, some only use russet. My mom typically will use russet potatoes. She boiled them whole with skins until fork tender (but not mushy). She peels them after and cuts them into bite sized pieces.
I on the other hand prefer to peel and cut into bite size pieces before. You have to keep a close eye on them this way and only let them boil for a few minutes because if you over-boil them they will turn mushy and your potato salad will be more like mashed potato salad. no bueno.
POTLUCK DISHES
During the holidays, especially summer holidays, where you gather in groups with lots of family and friends parties are typical held “potluck” style. This means you bring a dish large enough to serve many people! These recipes also have to transport well. So picking something that only taste good when its very hot or cold doesn’t serve well. Potato salad is PERFECT. Keep it in a cooler, and serve it up with any other recipes your fiends choose to bring. We have SO many other recipes that are amazing for potlucks.
I’ll list a few, but you can also click on this link to find some more!
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Marinated Cucumber Salad
- Oriental Cabbage Salad
- Cucumber Melon Salad
- Asparagas Summer Salad
- Sweet Potato and Arugula Quinoa
- Sweet Corn Salad with Cilantro
- Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
- Peanut Slaw
- Rainbow Quinoa Salad
and for DESSERTS!
The PERFECT potluck dish.
- 3 reg russet potatoes
- 4 red potatoes {or just do 6 reg russet potatoes}
- 6 celery stalks thinly sliced
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1 TBS fresh dill chopped
- about 1 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup honey mustard
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 5-6 hard boiled eggs- cut up {you may want to save one sliced up nice for the top}
- salt and pepper
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1. Boil halfed (or quartered) potatoes in salted water.
{do you know you should always cook potatoes in salted water...just like your noodles}2. Cook till fork tender.
3. Cut into bite size pieces. (you can choose to peel them or not. I usually choose to not, because I like skins and the added texture. my mom always does. after you boil them a lot of the skin will peel off anyway when you cut into bite size pieces. I discard those pieces and just throw in the meat of the potatoes.)
4. In a separate bowl mix the mayo and mustards, gentle stir in onions, eggs, and celery pour over potatoes and stir gently. add Salt and pepper to taste.
and last, nicely sliced egg on top and paprika..if so desired.
Easiest potato salad I’ve ever made. and soo yummy