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.

Alexandra wrote:
>
> Who thinks they have a potato salad recipe that would beat ANYONES?? I
> want to win.
>

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/rec...lad58322.shtml

"Alexandra" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> 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.
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

"Alexandra" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> 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!
>

Why should you win with someone else's recipe?


--
Peter Aitken

On Mon 11 Jul 2005 10:43:13a, Peter Aitken wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> "Alexandra" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> 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!
>>
>
> 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.

--
Wayne Boatwright Õ¿Õ¬
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

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.

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:27:53 -0700, Alexandra wrote:


>
> Competition is very tough- no amateurs!
>

You better not go...

On Mon 11 Jul 2005 11:09:18a, jay wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:27:53 -0700, Alexandra wrote:
>
>
>>
>> Competition is very tough- no amateurs!
>>
>
> You better not go...

Yeah,her family must be full of professional potato salad makers!


--
Wayne Boatwright Õ¿Õ¬
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

Peter Aitken wrote:
> "Alexandra" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>
>>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!
>>
>
>
> Why should you win with someone else's recipe?
>
>
FFS, Peter. Did you take your a**hole pills today or something?
Sheesh.
Cathy

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.

A.

"Alexandra" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> 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.
>
> A.
>

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.

kili

Alexandra wrote:
> 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.

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 a

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.

iuki

(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.

"Alexandra" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> 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!

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!

----------------------------------------------
rox

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.

A.

iuki@hotmail wrote:
> >
> 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 a
>
> 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.
>
> yucki

5 potatoes with 8 eggs is a whole lot closer to egg salad... and all
that mayo, yucki!

Sheldon

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 )





On 11 Jul 2005 10:27:53 -0700, "Alexandra" > wrote:

>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.

<rj>

Alexandra wrote:
> 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.
>
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.

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!

Alexandra > wrote:

> 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!

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.

serene

Alexandra wrote:
>
> OK- I have a bunch of potato salad recipes but am going to a reunion
> where we will be having a potato salad CONTEST!
>
> 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.

Doug Freyburger wrote:
> Alexandra wrote:
>
>>OK- I have a bunch of potato salad recipes but am going to a reunion
>>where we will be having a potato salad CONTEST!
>>
>>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.
>

If it is a family reunion, everyone is in trouble.


jim

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

OK Heres mine
about10 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

if you cook the onions with the bacon that solves the raw onion problem

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 17:41:14 -0500, 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