When I think about summer, my mind immediately drifts to picnics in the park, laughter, and of course, delicious food. One dish that’s always a hit at any gathering is my Picnic Potato Salad. This isn’t just any old potato salad, it’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures that takes the humble potato and turns it into a star. Plus, it’s super easy to make! You know me, I’m all about making cooking fun and straightforward. This potato salad is just that – no fancy techniques required, just good old-fashioned home cooking at its best. The combination of creamy potatoes, crunchy veggies, tangy dressing, and a little surprise element (hello, bacon bits or shredded cheese!) creates a symphony of flavors that’s hard to resist. I love it, and I know you’ll love it too! It’s perfect for picnics, BBQs, or any summer gathering really. So, let’s dive into how you can make this delightful Picnic Potato Salad!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cooked potatoes
- 3 hard-boiled eggs
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. celery seed
- 1/2 c. diced celery
- 2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
- 1/4 c. bacon bits or shredded cheese
- 1/2 c. sweet pickles/relish
- 1/4 c. grated carrots
- 3/4 c. salad dressing
- 1/2 c. diced cucumbers
- 1/2 c. chopped onion
- dash of pepper
- 1 medium tomato, wedged
Salad Assembly
- Coarsely dice potatoes and eggs with salt, pepper and celery seed.
- Add diced cucumbers, onion, carrots, celery and pickles/relish.
- Mix salad dressing/Miracle Whip with mustard and pour over mixture.
- Toss until well coated, adding more salad dressing as needed.
- Add bacon bits or shredded cheese and garnish with tomato wedges.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Potato Salad Extravaganza
Once upon a time, yours truly decided to embark on a culinary journey. Not an adventure, mind you, because who wants to go on an adventure with potatoes? No, this was an extravaganza!
The Gathering of the Ingredients
On the shopping list were 1 1/2 cooked potatoes, 3 hard-boiled eggs, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. celery seed, 1/2 c. diced celery, and 2 Tbsp. prepared mustard. And that was just the start! I also needed 1/4 c. bacon bits or shredded cheese, 1/2 c. sweet pickles/relish, 1/4 c. grated carrots, 3/4 c. salad dressing, 1/2 c. diced cucumbers, 1/2 c. chopped onion, a dash of pepper, and 1 medium tomato, wedged. Phew! This potato salad was starting to feel like a scavenger hunt.
The Battle with the Eggs
Once I had all the ingredients in place, it was time to coarsely dice the potatoes and eggs. Let me tell you, getting the eggs to cooperate was like trying to herd cats. The yolks wanted to go one way, the whites the other. But eventually, I managed to wrangle them into submission, along with a generous sprinkle of salt, pepper, and celery seed.
The Great Mix-Up
Next up was adding the diced cucumbers, onion, carrots, celery, and sweet pickles. I felt a bit like an artist, throwing in splashes of color here and there. Then came the salad dressing, mixed with mustard. I poured it over the mixture as if I was creating a culinary masterpiece, which, let’s face it, I was.
The Finishing Touches
Once everything was nicely coated, it was time for the pièce de résistance – bacon bits. Or shredded cheese, if you prefer. Honestly, I couldn’t decide, so I used both. Generously. You can’t have too much of a good thing, right? Then, to garnish, tomato wedges. Because every good salad needs a crown.
The Aftermath
What can I say? The potato salad was a hit. No one guessed how close I came to losing an egg in the battle, or how I almost drowned the whole thing in salad dressing. It was, in the end, an extravaganza of flavors, a symphony of textures, a…well, a pretty darn good potato salad.
So, there you have it, folks. My potato salad extravaganza. Next time I’ll maybe stick to a simple sandwich. Or not. Who am I kidding? I love a good culinary rollercoaster ride. Just don’t call it an adventure.
