| Potato Salad is one of the most social and well | | | | Another main ingredient is celery, and from there the |
| traveled salads there is because it's always showing | | | | options are endless. Here are some more to choose |
| up at picnics, barbeques, parties, camping trips, | | | | from: |
| weddings and even funerals. Potato salad is similar to | | | | Bell peppers-any kind |
| people in that each one is unique and a little different | | | | Cucumber |
| to any other one that has been made before. | | | | Tomatoes-small cherry or grape ones work the best, |
| Here is the basic structure of the salad with some | | | | cut in half and squeeze the seeds out before adding. |
| optional ingredients to consider: | | | | Broccoli |
| 1- Potatoes: | | | | Radishes-thinly sliced |
| Any kind will work here. Most people peel them but | | | | Carrots-thinly slices or grated |
| you don't have to. If you prefer them unpeeled | | | | Zoukini-seeds removed, thinly sliced or chopped |
| make sure you wash them well before slicing them. I | | | | 4-Eggs & Cheese: |
| usually slice them into 1/2" slices before cooking. Boil | | | | Potato salad recipes sometimes call for hard-boiled |
| until tender, drain and rinse with cold water in a | | | | eggs. For a standard sized salad made with 6 |
| colander. Chop cooled potato slices into bite-sized | | | | potatoes usually 4 eggs are mixed in and 2 are sliced |
| pieces and add to a large salad bowl. | | | | and placed on top as a garnish. |
| 2-Dressing: | | | | Any type of cheese can be added and can be sliced, |
| The standard dressing is mayonnaise, the sweeter | | | | cubed or grated. A 3-cheese ranch dressing goes well |
| Miracle Whip or its generic equivalent. This is good by | | | | with this. |
| itself or you can add small amounts of other | | | | 5-Fruit & Nuts-Not something you normally find |
| condiments to enhance the flavor. Mustard is the | | | | in a potato salad but well worth considering: |
| most popular one to add, either a plain one or one of | | | | Apple |
| the many fancy types out there these days. | | | | Pear |
| There are a few alternatives to using mayonnaise as | | | | Pineapple |
| a dressing base. Yogurt is a healthy alternative, and | | | | Any dried fruit |
| you can choose from regular, reduced fat or even | | | | Sunflower seeds |
| fat free. A light or fat-free sour cream can also be | | | | Walnuts |
| used. A mixture of these 3 can also be tried if one | | | | Almonds |
| by itself is too bland. | | | | Hazelnuts |
| There are also some soy-based yogurts for those | | | | Cashews |
| who prefer non-dairy. | | | | 6-Other: |
| If you prefer a lighter dressing you could make a | | | | Olives can go well if the salad has cucumber, |
| simple oil and vinegar dressing such as this one: | | | | tomatoes and feta cheese for a Mediterranean style |
| 1/2 cup salad oil | | | | salad. |
| 1/4 cup cider or wine vinegar | | | | Pickles-any kind thinly sliced or chopped. |
| 2 tbsp. dill weed | | | | Garlic-a little chopped fresh garlic if you are a garlic |
| 1/2 tsp dry mustard | | | | lover, otherwise leave this one out. |
| 2 tsp salt | | | | Spices-a pinch or two of your favorite will always |
| The easiest option is to just use your favorite | | | | add a little flair. |
| bottled salad dressing from your refrigerator. Either a | | | | Bacon-cooked and crumbled or use bacon-bits |
| creamy one or oil/vinegar type will work fine. | | | | Taste Test & Garnish: |
| It's best to make the salad first and then add | | | | Taste your salad and add salt and/or pepper if |
| dressing a little at a time until the right consistency is | | | | desired. Sprinkle a little paprika over finished salad for |
| achieved. Again, that is a personal preference. | | | | an attractive garnish. |
| 3-Vegetables: | | | | Cool and serve. |
| Most potato salads have some form of onion in | | | | The basic recipe is a fine salad to make but with all |
| them. Sweet onions are popular as they are not as | | | | the options available it's easy to come up with a |
| strong as regular onions. Green onions are also good. | | | | unique, different tasty salad every time. |