American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles

American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles Recipe

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles is a classic dish that embodies the comfort and simplicity of traditional American cuisine. This recipe brings together the creamy texture of potatoes, the richness of hard-boiled eggs, and the sweet tanginess of pickles to create a dish that's both satisfying and refreshing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a family dinner, this potato salad is a versatile side that complements a wide range of main courses.

History

The origins of American potato salad can be traced back to European immigrants who brought their own versions of potato salad to the United States. Over time, these recipes were adapted to include ingredients readily available in America, such as mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet pickles. The addition of hard-boiled eggs is a distinctly American twist that adds extra texture and flavor to the dish. This recipe has evolved into a beloved staple at American gatherings, embodying the melting pot of culinary traditions that make up American cuisine.

Ingredients

2 lb (907 g) red potatoes, scrubbed (about 6 medium or 18 small)
0.25 cup red wine vinegar
salt and freshly ground pepper
3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and cut into 1 to 2 inch dice
1 stalk celery, minced (about 0.5 cup)
2 tbsp minced red onions
0.25 cup sweet gherkins, minced
0.5 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves

How to prepare

Cover the potatoes with 1 inch of water in a stockpot or Dutch oven.
Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring once or twice to ensure even cooking, until the potatoes are tender. *Cut the potatoes into 0.75 inch cubes (use a serrated knife if they have skins), while still warm, rinsing the knife occasionally in warm water to remove starch.
Place the warm potato cubes in a large bowl.
Add vinegar, 1-2 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp pepper, and toss gently.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool, about 20 minutes.
When the potatoes are cool, toss them with the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve.

Variations

For a healthier version, substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise. Add chopped bacon, chives, or dill for a different flavor profile. For a crunchier texture, include diced apples or radishes.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To ensure your American Potato Salad turns out perfectly, consider the following tips:

- Choose the right potatoes. Red potatoes hold their shape well after cooking and offer a creamy texture.

- Cook the potatoes until they are tender but not falling apart. This will prevent your salad from becoming mushy.

- Cool the potatoes before adding the other ingredients to prevent the mayonnaise from becoming oily.

- Adjust the seasoning to taste. The right balance of salt, pepper, and vinegar is key to a flavorful potato salad.

Serving Suggestions

This potato salad is best served chilled, making it a refreshing side dish for warm-weather gatherings. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as part of a picnic spread.

Cooking Techniques

The key technique in this recipe is simmering the potatoes to the perfect tenderness. Another important step is dicing the ingredients uniformly to ensure each bite is balanced in flavor and texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If red potatoes are not available, Yukon gold potatoes are a good substitute. Apple cider vinegar can replace red wine vinegar for a slightly different tang. For a non-mayonnaise option, try an olive oil and vinegar dressing.

Make Ahead Tips

This potato salad can be made up to two days in advance. In fact, letting it sit in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the potato salad in a colorful bowl to make it stand out on the table. Garnish with extra minced parsley or paprika for a touch of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

This potato salad pairs well with barbecue ribs, fried chicken, or a hearty sandwich. It's also a great companion to fish dishes, offering a creamy contrast to the lightness of seafood.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This dish is best enjoyed cold, so reheating is not recommended.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

A serving of American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles contains approximately 250 calories. This makes it a relatively light side dish that can fit into a balanced diet.

Carbohydrates

A serving of American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates. The majority of these carbs come from the potatoes, which are a good source of energy. The sweet pickles add a small amount of sugar, contributing to the carb count.

Fats

This potato salad recipe contains about 15 grams of fat per serving, with the majority coming from the mayonnaise. Using a light or reduced-fat mayonnaise can lower the fat content without significantly affecting the taste.

Proteins

Each serving of this potato salad provides around 7 grams of protein, mainly from the hard-boiled eggs. The eggs make this dish a more satisfying side that can help keep you feeling full.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C from the potatoes, Vitamin A from the eggs, and various B vitamins. The celery and parsley also contribute small amounts of essential nutrients.

Alergens

The main allergens in this recipe are eggs and mayonnaise, which may contain eggs or soy. Those with allergies to these ingredients should exercise caution.

Summary

Overall, American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles is a moderately nutritious dish that offers a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It also provides essential vitamins and minerals, making it a wholesome addition to any meal.

Summary

American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles is a timeless dish that combines simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying side. With its creamy texture, rich flavors, and nutritional benefits, it's a versatile recipe that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue or looking for a comforting side dish, this potato salad is sure to be a hit.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. It was a warm summer day, and I was flipping through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my mother. As I turned the pages, a picture of a delicious-looking American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles caught my eye. The combination of creamy potatoes, tangy pickles, and savory hard-boiled eggs seemed like the perfect dish for a backyard barbecue.

I quickly gathered the ingredients and got to work in the kitchen. The recipe called for red potatoes, which I boiled until they were tender but still firm. While the potatoes were cooling, I hard-boiled some eggs and chopped up some sweet pickles. I then made the dressing, a simple mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and a touch of sugar.

Once everything was ready, I combined the potatoes, eggs, pickles, and dressing in a large bowl. I gently tossed everything together until it was well coated in the creamy dressing. I took a small taste and was immediately transported back to my childhood, when my own grandmother would make a similar potato salad for family gatherings.

As the salad chilled in the refrigerator, I couldn't wait to share it with my family at dinner that evening. When the time came, I proudly served up heaping spoonfuls of the potato salad alongside grilled burgers and corn on the cob. My family's eyes lit up as they took their first bites, and I knew I had a new favorite recipe on my hands.

Over the years, I continued to make the American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles for every summer gathering. It became a staple at picnics, barbecues, and potlucks, always receiving rave reviews from friends and family alike. I even started to experiment with the recipe, adding in extra ingredients like crispy bacon or fresh herbs to give it my own personal touch.

One summer, I brought the potato salad to a neighborhood block party, where it was met with high praise from everyone who tried it. One of my neighbors, Mrs. Jenkins, approached me and asked for the recipe. She explained that she had never been much of a cook, but she wanted to try making the potato salad for her own family.

I gladly shared the recipe with Mrs. Jenkins, along with some tips and tricks I had picked up over the years. I showed her how to properly boil the potatoes and eggs, how to chop the pickles just right, and how to make a creamy dressing that would perfectly coat all the ingredients. Mrs. Jenkins listened intently, taking notes as I spoke.

A few days later, Mrs. Jenkins knocked on my door with a Tupperware container filled with her own version of the American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles. She explained that she had followed my instructions to the letter, and that her family had loved the dish. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thanked me for sharing the recipe with her.

From that day on, Mrs. Jenkins became a regular at the neighborhood block parties, always bringing her famous potato salad to share with everyone. She had discovered a love for cooking that she never knew she had, all thanks to a simple recipe that I had shown her.

As the years passed, I continued to make the American Potato Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Sweet Pickles for my own family, passing down the recipe to my children and grandchildren. It became a beloved tradition in our household, something that we all looked forward to when the weather turned warm and the days grew long.

And so, every summer, you can find me in the kitchen, preparing a batch of my famous potato salad to share with those I love. And as I watch my family and friends enjoy each bite, I am reminded of the joy that cooking can bring, and the connections that are forged over a simple dish of creamy potatoes, tangy pickles, and savory hard-boiled eggs.