Thursday, July 4, 2013

What's in YOUR Potato Salad?

With some potato salad in production for today, I thought I'd ask what YOU put in yours?  Prior to spreading our family's culinary "wings" my potato salad was the epitome of boring: potatoes and Miracle Whip (salad dressing)... period...

We've started branching out and I came up with this version we all rather liked that I thought I'd share with you, after which I'd LOVE to hear about what you do!

My quantities vary, based on the size of the crowd.  It was a challenge to write the recipe because I adjust amounts around the potatoes!  Full bag, half bag, half dozen or four potatoes?  Each require an eye to the amounts of other ingredients.  That being said, feel free to tweak what I've listed in this particular recipe to your tastes.

One of the ingredients that REALLY jazzes this recipe up is the Trader Joe's Thai Yellow Curry Sauce.  I discovered this after chatting with a friend about what his wife put in the chicken at our wrestling banquet.  He told me he wasn't sure what it was, but that she got it at Trader Joe's and that it came ready to mix in.  I bought a bottle and have used it several times in a few different meals - it's GREAT in this!  Be careful though, if you use it.  We all agreed that a bit of background flavor was better than going for Thai-flavored potato salad, we can only take so much change at once!!


Jazzed Up Potato Salad

Ingredients
5 lbs potatoes
1 rib of celery, chopped
1/2 - 1 cup onion, chopped (we go light OR use green onion - it's an "onion thing" around here...)
1/2 - 1 cup chopped sweet peppers
1- 2 cups salad dressing or mayo
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/8 - 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Thai Yellow Curry Sauce (base this one on a taste test)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
  1. Peel, cut to the size pieces you want and boil the potatoes.  Then, let cool.
  2. Chop celery, peppers and onions.  Set aside.
  3. Mix salad dressing, Greek yogurt,Thai Curry Sauce, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Look at the amount.  Look at your potatoes.  Will it give good coverage?  No?  Add more of the salad dressing and yogurt.  Taste.  
  4. Once the potatoes are cooled, place them in a big bowl.  Pour the dressing over the mixture.  Add the onions, peppers and celery and stir gently.  
  5. Put in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and serve cold.

So, here's what I'm curious about: what goes into YOUR potato salad?  Do tell!

Have fun in the kitchen today and enjoy the 4th, all my friend in the US!
Carrie

8 comments:

  1. Great post, never thought of popping thai curry sauce in potato salad, good plan, bit like our 'coronation chicken' sauce. What do I like in mine? chopped spring onions, a little powdered mustard in my homemade mayo and lots of chopped fresh herbs. Mint, parsley, chervil,

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  2. That is food for thought. I have not made potato salad in a while so I do not have an answer. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.

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  3. Great recipe...unfortunately, there is no Trader Joes in CO!!!! (hard to believe...but true). I add slivered almonds, real mayo, and a dash of cinnamon. It's not for everyone...but I love it!-Soraya

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  4. It sounds delicious! I live in France and don't have Trader Joe's but I can get Thai Yellow curry paste if I look hard enough so I'll give it a go! I often use wholegrain Dijon mustard, mayo and chives. Visiting from UBCwhere my post today is about Americans in teh south of France in honour of your Independance Day. http://www.loumessugo.com/en/blog/entry/the-4th-of-july-and-americans-on-the-riviera

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  5. My favorite potato salad is German. :-) This sounds interesting. Don't have a trader joes nearby, but a friend of mine does...may have to try soon. :-)

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  6. Holly - my advice: visit your friend and then go to Trader Joe's! It's a win-win! :)

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  7. I just tried a new (to me) recipe that has Hellman's mayo, potatoes (boiled/skinned/sliced) red onion (chopped) and cottage cheese. Layer them in a bowl and chill overnight. Stir it all together and serve. It is remarkably tasty, but then I am not much of a connoisseur. :)
    tm

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  8. Interesting - layering and leaving a bit. Sounds like it might work. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks!

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