Subject: In search of the Worlds Greatest Potato salad
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
From: Alexandra (alexusf at mac.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 10:27:53 -0700
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OK- I have a bunch of potato salad recipes but am going to a reunion where we will be having a potato salad CONTEST!
Competition is very tough- no amateurs! :)
Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I want to win.
Thanks in advance!
A.
From: gjgee (gjgee at aol.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 10:31:38 -0700
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Try mine. I make it all the time, and everyone loves it. The combination of the roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar gives a nice rich, earthy flavor to the salad.
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/251/Roasted_Garlic_Potato_Salad58322.shtml
From: Dimitri (Dimitri_C at prodigy.net)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:42:18 GMT
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
Quite frankly since the basis of a salad Nicoise is potatoes I would use that recipe as a basis;
Dimitri
As example:
Salad Nicoise with Seared Tuna Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Yield: 8 servings
Vinaigrette:
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad:
1 pound small red new potatoes, scrubbed and halved
8 large eggs
1/2 pound haricots verts or French green beans, stems trimmed
2 pounds fresh sushi-quality tuna
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pint teardrop or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup nicoise olives
16 anchovy fillets
16 caper berries with stems
1/2 bunch fresh chives, snipped in 1/2
To make the vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a mason jar. Screw the cap on the jar and shake the vinaigrette vigorously to emulsify. Set the dressing aside while preparing the salad so the flavors can marry.
Cooking the potatoes, eggs, and green beans in the same pot cuts down on prep time and clean up. To do this, put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add water to cover and a nice pinch of salt; bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer the potatoes for 12 minutes to give them a head start, and then add the eggs. Place a steamer basket or colander on top of the simmering water. Put the green beans in the steamer and cover with a lid. Steam the beans for 5 minutes until crisp-tender while continuing to cook the potatoes until fork tender. Drain out the water and put the potatoes, eggs, and green beans in a colander; rinse briefly under cold water. Peel the shells off the eggs and cut them in 1/2 lengthwise.
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub the tuna on all sides with olive oil, and a bit of the vinaigrette; season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Lay the tuna in the hot pan and sear for approximately 2 minutes on each side; as the tuna cooks, the red meat will become whiter. Transfer the tuna to a cutting board and slice.
To assemble the salad: combine the potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, capers, and chives in a large mixing bowl. Take the vinaigrette and give it another good shake to recombine. Drizzle the salad with enough vinaigrette to fully moisten and toss gently to coat; season with salt and pepper. Take care not to mush up the ingredients - the important thing about salad nicoise is that it is arranged nicely on a platter with all the elements keeping their individual integrity. Put the tossed salad down the center of a serving platter and lay the seared tuna attractively across the top and the eggs around the rim. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve.
Episode#: FO1D38
Copyright © 2003 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved
From: Peter Aitken (paitken at CRAPnc.rr.com)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:43:13 GMT
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
Why should you win with someone else's recipe?
From: Wayne Boatwright (waynesgang at waynes.gang)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 19:53:49 +0200
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Peter Aitken wrote:
> Why should you win with someone else's recipe?
Well, for one thing, it's not just the recipe but also the execution of it that counts. You can use the greatest of recipes but still turn out slop.
From: Alexandra (alexusf at mac.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 11:03:43 -0700
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I dont *HAVE* an "original" recipe..If I did, I wouldnt be ASKING... If I get one that is really great- I can always tweak it to make it mine.
From: Tonya_049 at webtv.net (ms. tonya)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:46:26 -0400
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Alexandra wrote:
> I dont *HAVE* an "original" recipe..If I did, I wouldnt be ASKING... If
> I get one that is really great- I can always tweak it to make it mine.
RESPONSE: Sounds like cheating to me.
From: Alexandra (alexusf at mac.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 18:17:49 -0700
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I must have missed the POTATO SALAD 101 class in school.
So- Im assuming if you have never made something, you dont check out other recipes before experimenting on your own. Must be nice to be born with an exact recipe for everything all on your own and no need for ideas or input. Good for you.
From: cathyxyz (cathy1234 at mailinator.com)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 21:49:55 +0200
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Peter Aitken wrote:
> Why should you win with someone else's recipe?
FFS, Peter. Did you take your a**hole pills today or something? Sheesh.
From: Alexandra (alexusf at mac.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 14:51:10 -0700
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Its OK- thats pretty normal from them...
Its not a family reunion but some family will be there. Lots of old ladies with potato salad, probably some good, some awful. I am not much of a "pot luck" or standard picnic fare person- and I did go to culinary school for what little thats worth.
From: kilikini (kilikini at NOSPAMtampabay.rr.com)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 22:15:19 GMT
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
I think it sounds kind of fun! I hope you find an amazing recipe and stun the crowd. :~) I only do a German potato salad.........and I can't even do that because my hubby won't allow potatoes in the house. Sigh.
From: remarshall at webtv.net (Randy Marshall)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:41:14 -0500
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OK Heres mine
about 10 potatoes cut in small cubes [half inch] 8 eggs hard boiled 6 strips of bacon chopped fine ,1 cup of mayo, a squeeze of mustard, 1 med onion chopped fine,1 TBS sweet relish and a little sugar The {secret} is to mix the hard cooked yokes with the mayo mustard relish and sugar and then mix it with he potatoes onion and chopped egg whites
From: sf (sf at gmail.com)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:15:42 -0700
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Randy Marshall wrote:
> The {secret} is
> to mix the hard cooked yokes with the mayo mustard relish and sugar and
> then mix it with he potatoes onion and chopped egg whites
Yeppers... that be the "secret" - except I don't use sugar. LOL
From: jay (jay at hotshot.com)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 18:09:18 GMT
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Alexandra wrote:
> Competition is very tough- no amateurs! :)
You better not go...
From: Wayne Boatwright (waynesgang at waynes.gang)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 20:18:01 +0200
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jay wrote:
> You better not go...
Yeah,her family must be full of professional potato salad makers!
From: iuki at hotmail.com
Date: 11 Jul 2005 17:14:35 -0700
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
I can tell you the "approximate" amount of the ingredients, as I do not measure the ingredients when I make potato salad. I have had many people ask me for the recipe and have had many compliments on my potato salad (maybe because it is so basic). The ingredients are:
5 med. red or white potatoes
8 hard-boiled eggs (I grate two of the eggs)
1/2 to 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Best Foods)
2 tsp yellow mustard
2 tsp sweet pickle relish
salt & pepper to taste
Whether or not you use my recipe, my suggestion is that if you leave out chopped onions, you will please a majority of people. People who do not like raw onions will not like your salad; but people who eat onions will eat salad with or without onions. (Just a suggestion.)
Wishing you the best of luck.
From: Sheldon (PENMART01 at aol.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 19:11:45 -0700
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iuki wrote:
> 5 med. red or white potatoes
> 8 hard-boiled eggs (I grate two of the eggs)
> 1/2 to 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
> 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Best Foods)
> 2 tsp yellow mustard
> 2 tsp sweet pickle relish
> salt & pepper to taste
>
> yucki
5 potatoes with 8 eggs is a whole lot closer to egg salad... and all that mayo, yucki!
From: remarshall at webtv.net (Randy Marshall)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:46:07 -0500
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if you cook the onions with the bacon that solves the raw onion problem
From: rmg (roxmarie_nofriedspam42 at pacbell.net)
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 00:58:20 GMT
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
Some of the posters have suggested vinagrette-based dressings. That is my personal favorite for potato salads.
----> BUT <-----
If you are out to WIN a potato salad contest, I'd consider your audience. Are they expecting something traditional or are they tolerant of slight "departures?"
If they are traditional eaters, a "better" (for lack of another term) mode than Nicoise might be the German kind with a cider vinegar/sweet dressing and lots of fried bacon. Sorry, I can't provide an exact recipe for it but since you went to cooking school you probably know what I'm talking about.
Of course there's the classic boiled egg/mayo one but another great kind has a sour cream rather than mayonnaise base and is made with red potatoes and sweet onions.
It sounds like lots of experimentation is in order :-D
Good luck!
From: "(RJ)" (baranick at localnet.com)
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:17:57 -0700
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
I was recently at a pot luck, and had the best potato salad ever !
Potatoes, a tart sour cream, and a noticeable amount of dill.
Unfortunately, I never did track down whoever brought that dish.
Anyone know of a similar recipe ?
My vote for "Perennial Favorite" would be the recipe on the back of the Hellmans Mayo jar.....
( with some chopped hamburger pickles added )
From: kilowatt at charter.net
Date: 11 Jul 2005 19:27:52 -0700
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
I don't have a recipe for the best potato salad, but I do have one for the easiest.
I use a can of new potatoes
Throw in about a spoon full of mustard
About 4 spoons full of mayo
A little chopped onion
That is it. No cooking. Just mash and eat.
If I am feeling fancy I sprinkle a little paprika on it and I am done.
It is very good.
From: gjgee (gjgee at aol.com)
Date: 11 Jul 2005 19:53:50 -0700
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kilowatt wrote:
> I use a can of new potatoes
> Throw in about a spoon full of mustard
> About 4 spoons full of mayo
> A little chopped onion
>
> That is it. No cooking. Just mash and eat.
> If I am feeling fancy I sprinkle a little paprika on it and I am done.
> It is very good.
Sounds like something Sandra Lee would make. Add a fruity cocktail and coordinating tablescape, and you've got a show!
From: serene at serenepages.org (serene)
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 22:25:03 -0700
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
Mine wows people. I use purple potatoes, cooked (not mushy) carrots, onions, celery, and several colors of bell pepper. I dress it with just mayo, salt, and pepper. I call it Rainbow Potato Salad, and people love it, not least because it's so pretty.
From: Doug Freyburger (dfreybur at yahoo.com)
Date: 13 Jul 2005 11:03:32 -0700
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Alexandra wrote:
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
Mom's recipe. Your mom, my mom, anyone's mom.
Figure out who the judges are. Find out how there folks made their potato salad. Look for a common trend. Make that one. Think of it as a cross between James Bond and Iron Chef.
From: JimLane (ensenadajim at yahoo.com)
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:20:13 -0700
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Doug Freyburger wrote:
> Mom's recipe. Your mom, my mom, anyone's mom.
>
> Figure out who the judges are. Find out how there folks
> made their potato salad. Look for a common trend. Make
> that one. Think of it as a cross between James Bond and
> Iron Chef.
If it is a family reunion, everyone is in trouble.
From: aem (aem_again at yahoo.com)
Date: 13 Jul 2005 15:07:57 -0700
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Doug Freyburger wrote:
> Mom's recipe. Your mom, my mom, anyone's mom.
>
> Figure out who the judges are. Find out how there folks
> made their potato salad. Look for a common trend. Make
> that one. [snip]
Take a standard recipe and add some juice from the dill pickle jar. (Don't put any of the pickles in the salad.) To taste, but be careful not to overdo it. You want it to be that unidentifiable something that you will refuse to divulge.... -aem