Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Basic Potato Salad..aka, baked beans best friend

 I rarely think so far ahead for dinner that I'm able to put together a potato salad well enough in advance that its gotten the proper amount of time for the flavors to marry.  We usually pick some up premade from the store.  Honestly, I despise MOST premade potato salad.  There's something in it the has a weird, funky aftertaste.  I can even doctor that mush up and it still lingers.  What IS that? Anyway, I had a few minutes today and the lightbulb went on.  I already knew that we're grilling burgers tonight and what goes better with grilled burgers than some rich, creamy tater salad.  So, yay me for thinking ahead! 
There are a million billion ways to make potato salad of course. But, tonight, I'll stick to the basics. I do have a little tip:  After draining your potatoes and letting them dry out, sprinkle them with salt and vinegar. It's just another layer of flavor.

Ingredients:
5-6 medium potatoes
1/4 onion or green onions
3 eggs
3 strips bacon
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo with olive oil (for taste, not cause its healthier)
2-3 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tbs dijon mustard (creamy with wine!)
2 tsp white sugar
generous amount of salt

Directions:
Fry bacon until crisp, let cool, chop into bits and set aside. You can also use precooked bacon.

Peel and cut potatoes into bite size pieces and add to pan full of salty cold water.  Add eggs to pan as well.  Bring to a boil.  After water has boiled for a few minutes, remove eggs and run under cold water.  Check potatoes for doneness.  Should be able to pierce with fork but not mash.  When done, drain potatoes, add back onto eye of stove, with heat off.  This will allow potatoes to steam and dry out completely.  Sprinkle about 1 tbs vinegar over the dried out potatoes and about 1/2 tsp. salt.

In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, eggs, chopped bacon, chopped onions, mustard, vinegar and sugar.  Taste for need for salt.  The Mayo made with olive oil is a bit saltier (which is why i LOVE It).  Fold in potatoes. Now chill for at least 3 hours :).. enjoy with baked beans. Weird, I know, but it's kinda a thing i have.


mmm bacon

mmm eggs!
chillin

Monday, September 13, 2010

Grilled Caesar Salad

This falls under the IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED THIS YET...DO IT TONIGHT!!!. ..category. Oh, oops..I haven't created one of those categories yet.  Great, super easy side dish.  I've never seen my husband attack lettuce before.

You would not believe the nutty flavor you get when grilling romaine. 

Instructions:

Cut a head of romaine lengthwise leaving the stems intact.  Drizzle both sides with EVOO.  Place romaine cut side down on grill pan over medium heat.  It only takes a couple minutes to get desired grill marks and wilt the lettuce slightly but leave a bit of crunch.  Flip the lettuce and repeat on the second side. 

Top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, croutons and your favorite Caesar salad dressing. 

Quick Croutons:
Cut one to two day old bakery bread into bite sized cubes. Spread evenly on cookie sheet.  Coat with olive oil spray, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt.  Toss to coat.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until brown and toasty