6/23/2011

American Potato Salad

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The Fourth of July is right around the corner and many of us will be having picnics, barbecues, or grilling with family and friends.  Looking ahead, I thought I would share with you my recipe for American Potato Salad.

I loved my mother's potato salad as a kid.  It was potatoes, eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard.  No crunchy stuff and no green stuff.  I have grown out of those childhood taste buds and texture issues and now I have to have a potato salad with a little bit of everything.  I am, however, still particular about what goes in it.  I like perfectly cooked potatoes-- not mushy.  Once cooked, I season them with vinegar and chicken broth for added flavor.  I use finely diced celery (because I don't care for big chunks) for some needed crunch.   Bacon lends a smoky, salty taste.  I also add finely diced gherkins for a pickled tang, along with chopped hard boiled eggs, scallions, and flat leaf parsley for more texture, flavor, and color.  Lastly, I toss it all together with some mayonnaise and a bit of Dijon mustard.  Whew!  Now that's an American potato salad I can sink my teeth into-- creamy, tender, crunchy, and perfect!


American Potato Salad
serves 4-6

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
1/3 cup chicken stock
1 medium celery rib, finely diced
3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped gherkins
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3 Tablespoons finely chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup mayonnaise

Peel the potatoes and slice each one lengthwise in half, or in quarters if very large, then cut crosswise into half-round or quarter-round slices, about 1/2-inch thick.  Place the slices in a large saucepan with enough water to just cover.  Generously salt the water and heat to a simmer.  Cook the potatoes for 6-8 minutes, or until just cooked through.  It is important that the potatoes are not over cooked.  Immediately drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl.  Stir the cider vinegar with the chicken broth and drizzle over the potatoes, gently turning them to distribute the mixture.  Gently transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet in one layer and let them rest for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.

Return the potatoes to the bowl and add the celery, bacon, gherkins, eggs, mustard, scallions, and parsley.  Begin by adding just 1/2 cup of the mayonnaise and, using a large rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until well blended.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more of the mayonnaise if needed.

Cover the salad and refrigerate for an hour before serving.  If it is refrigerated longer, allow it to come to room temperature before serving.  Enjoy!

Source: Adapted from Julia and Jacques-- Cooking at Home


8 comments:

  1. Yum.....'nuff said!

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  2. My kids always beg for potato salad. It's a favorite in our household. This recipe looks perfect.

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  3. I feel the urge to venture into new potato salad recipe territory! This looks very tasty.

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  4. I like to add dill too for a little lemony flavor!

    The Dinner Belle for Kimberlybelle.com

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  5. that looks great for a part that im having for the 4th. I always like to use a little more dijon than i'm supposed too ;)

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  6. We'll be serving this for a group of 30 folks from church on Tuesday!

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  7. Fran-
    I hope your church group enjoys the salad. Thank you for letting me know:)

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  8. Ten pounds of potatoes seemed like enough for thirty people - but it was close! This delicious recipe is a crowd pleaser for sure! Thank you for sharing it. - Fran

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