Good morning!  I am missing sharing recipes with you!  No time like the present.  I’m going to get right to it.

Recently I’ve tasted many commercial potato salads, hoping that I’d satisfy my taste for a delicious potato salad only to be disappointed. The potatoes have a weird texture and I can’t quite figure out what the dressing is made of.  Big surprise, right?  This inspired me to make my Mom’s Old Fashioned Potato salad.

If you’re like me, you just want a small spoonful of this type of salad.  No one wants to load up on fat laden mayonnaisey salad.  I have transformed the dressing into something very delicious and guilt free.  I very much prefer a combination of real mayonnaise, non fat greek yogurt, yellow mustard and a dollop of sour cream.  I think it’s always a good idea to add more crunchy fresh vegetables.

The beauty of  this salad is that you can add whatever ingredients you love.  Why not minced jalapeno or diced roasted red peppers, or blue cheese and crisp bacon?  Make it your own go to potato salad recipe.

My Mom’s had plenty of celery, onions and radishes. The perfect contrast to the cooked red potatoes with skins and the boiled eggs.  I just love that she added radishes, I think it’s brilliant!   I’ve added parsley too.  So good!

Garnishing is key as well.  Love sliced eggs, minced chives, radishes and a sprinkle of paprika.  Beautiful!

Mom’s Old Fashioned Potato Salad

2 lbs. small red potatoes, quartered, boiled in salted water and cooled completely
6 hard boiled eggs, cooled & chopped, reserve one to slice for the top of the salad
Click here for the recipe for perfectly boiled eggs
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 cup sliced radishes, reserving a couple for garnish
1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
1/2 cup fresh chopped chives, reserve a tablespoon for garnish
Paprika to sprinkle over the top of the finished salad

For the dressing:

1 cup non fat greek yogurt
1/2 cup Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground celery seed
1 teaspoon kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon table salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper

1)  Put all potato salad ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

2)  Whisk all salad dressing ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl until well blended.  Taste.  Add additional seasonings here if you wish.  It may need a little more salt and pepper.

3)  Pour dressing over salad ingredients and gently fold until completely combined.

4)  Pour into a large serving bowl.  Top with boiled egg, sliced radishes, minced chives and a sprinkle of paprika.  Refrigerate.  Serve cold.  Refrigerate leftovers.  Serves 8-10.

Enjoy, Happy July 4th!!

Angie

I served this salad at my appetizer party a few weeks ago.  A bright vegetable salad was needed in the mix.  Forget about serving an ordinary salad, this one will be a hit!

I roasted garlic last week in olive oil and saved the oil.  This is really easy to do.  Peel a head of garlic and put the cloves into a small sauce pan.  Cover the garlic with olive oil and place over the lowest possible heat on your range.  Watch it closely.  Once the garlic is golden brown, it’s done.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the garlic.  I used the garlic in other salad dressings and I saved the oil.  You must refrigerate both the roasted garlic and the oil.  You can also buy garlic infused olive oil.

I used vegetables that required different roasting times in the oven.  Don’t let this detour you!  They can be roasted a day ahead if necessary.

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing

1 head of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
1 head of cauliflower, cut into bite sized pieces
1 large bunch of asparagus
1 pint grape tomatoes, washed and halved (unroasted)
1 cup mozzarella pearls, drained

2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons roasted garlic olive oil
1 tablespoon honey

1)  Preheat the oven to 375′.

2)  Place the broccoli in a large mixing bowl.  Drizzle 1 tablespoon garlic olive oil over the broccoli.  Add a couple of pinches of salt and one pinch of pepper.  Toss to coat.  Place on a non stick foil lined cookie sheet.  Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, carefully give them a turn in the oven after 10 minutes.  Place into a large bowl.

3)  Prepare the cauliflower the same as the broccoli.  Roast for 30-35 minutes or until nicely browned.  Add to the bowl with the broccoli.

4)   Trim the ends of the asparagus.  Coat with the garlic olive oil.  Lightly season with salt and pepper.  Roast in the oven for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven.  Cool and slice into 1″ pieces on a diagonal.  Add to the bowl with the other vegetables.

5)  Once the vegetables are cool, add the halved grape tomatoes and pearl fresh mozzarella.

6)  Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the salad.  Toss gently to coat.  Serve immediately.  Serves 8-10 people.

*If you’re making this salad a day ahead, don’t dress it until right before serving.  Serve with crusty french bread.

Enjoy!

Angie