Random Questions | How Can You Liven Up Your Traditional Potato Salad Recipes?

How Can You Liven Up Your Traditional Potato Salad Recipes?

Potato salad is a favorite, hearty salad that complements most summer meals. You will find that there are many different recipes for this salad with each one slightly different from the other. Most cooks will have one or two ‘favorite’ potato salad recipes that they will make most of the time. However, if you are the sort of cook who likes to try new recipes from time to time you may want to experiment with livening up the traditional recipe a little.

I am often asked random questions about my potato salad ingredients, or how I am able to get the consistency of the salad just right. As simple as it actually is to make, people often ask how to make potato salad. After a lifetime of making these salads I do have a few tricks up my sleeve that I would be more than happy to share with you.

First of all, the biggest mistake made with this salad is that of over-cooking the potatoes.  Overcooked potatoes will lead to mushy, soft salads where all of the ingredients tend to blend together till, in some instances, the salad looks more like mashed potatoes! I would recommend peeling and cutting the potatoes into small cubes; usually one inch cubes are recommended though you can make them smaller than that if you like, and then throwing them into a pot of boiling water. The trick is not to cook them too long. Do not wait until they are ‘cooked’ but take them out and strain them before they are fully cooked–they should still be a tiny bit crisp when you bite through one. The main reason for this is because the potatoes will keep on cooking even after you take them out of the water.

Another tip is to mix and then chill the salad thoroughly before serving. If you can leave it for two hours or more you will find the flavors have had time to mix and the salad will taste much more delicious.

Common ingredients included in a potato salad include bacon bits, finely chopped onions, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced celery, diced dill pickles, parsley and some people like to add boiled, sliced egg. They are usually tossed with mayonnaise or a combination of mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.

For something a little different, why not try a German potato salad. It is served warm, rather than chilled and the ingredients are slightly different. The onion is cooked before being added to the salad. Save some of the bacon fat leftover from frying the bacon and use it for your salad dressing. Combine vinegar, water and sugar with a little of the bacon fat, mix well and pour over the salad mix for a truly delicious warm potato salad.

Related posts:

  1. What Are Your Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes?
  2. Can Smoothie Recipes Liven Up Your Daily Diet?
  3. Are There Any Pasta Recipes That Use Grilled Chicken?
  4. Are There Any Great Fish Recipes For People Who Do Not Like Fish?
  5. What Is The Simplest Chocolate Cake Recipe?

Tagged With , , , ,