When we think of summer, we think of picnics, barbeques and fun family times.
One favorite summertime food is potato salad. It has been around forever, and
everyone will swear that they have the one “true” recipe for making this hearty
salad. While everyone’s tastes are different, everyone can agree that a picnic
without potato salad is like a trip to the beach without a Frisbee. With
potatoes being the world’s leading vegetable crop, it is not surprising to learn
that, on the average, one United States citizen consumes 140 pounds of potatoes
in a single year. You can believe that Americans are not indulging in just baked
potatoes alone; they are enjoying potato salad by the ton!
There are numerous ways to make potato salad and thousands of recipes from which
to choose. There are German, Italian, Caribbean Sweet, Deli and French versions
all with their own special twist added to the recipe. Resourceful individuals
will be able to even find a recipe for Soul Food potato salad. All potato salad
has one thing in common of course, the potatoes. Some prefer to use red bliss
potatoes, while others prefer to use chopped up baking potatoes.
There are a variety of different ingredients that can be used when you are
preparing a big bowl to take to a picnic or for a day at the beach. Some
common ingredients are eggs, celery, onions and pickles. Some of the more
unique items that have been thrown into potato salad are corn, bacon,
apples, sour cream, green beans, garlic and sugar.
The consistency of it varies as well. It truly depends on individual taste
but many people swear by chunky potato salad, where the boiled potatoes are
chopped into bite size chunks. Many gourmet restaurants and diners also
serve a whipped version which can feature other vegetables as well as
fragrant cheeses. Potato salad is enjoyed both hot as well as cold, and can
be used as a side dish or enjoyed as a meal all by itself. Some chefs prefer
to dress up their potato salad a bit with garnishes. Commonly used garnishes
include parsley, scallions and sliced cherry tomatoes.
If the idea of getting into the kitchen and concocting your own bowl of this
favorite is a bit overwhelming luckily it isn’t hard to find store bought
versions. Most grocery stores now have deli sections which feature an array
of almost homemade salads. You can buy a tub of potato salad there and dress
it up with a few sprigs of parsley. No one will be the wiser that you didn’t
spend hours making it. Your corner deli will also have a tasty version of
potato salad for you to purchase.
No matter your preference: hot or cold, chunky or creamy, a tasty potato
salad will always be a favorite among the masses. It makes a great side dish
as well as a hearty midnight snack.
