If it’s 4th of July, then there must be potato salad. That was true when I was growing up and I am bringing back the tradition with my Mediterranean potato salad. So much about the food we love is the food you grow up with. Even though my husband is not a big potato salad fan, sometimes you just have to make something that you want for yourself, and boy does this taste good!
Choose the Right Potato
Yukon Gold potatoes are perfect for potato salad. Creamy, buttery tasting, and thin-skinned with golden flesh, Yukon’s hold up beautifully for potato salad.
Potato Salad Prep
Scrub whole potatoes, then simmer covered with cold water until tender when pierced with a paring knife. Cook until they are tender all of the way through, but don’t let them fall apart. Cool potatoes and then refrigerate until cold. Cold potatoes are much easier to dice into clean cubes, making for a nice presentation. And leave those skins on. They are good for you.
Mediterranean Flavors
To the cubed potatoes, add crunchy celery, sweet shallot, salty, rinsed capers and fresh chopped dill. To finish, fold in a dressing of Vegenaise (or homemade mayonnaise) mixed with lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Don’t like dill? Try thyme or tarragon. For more herbal flavor, add chopped Italian parsley. For brighter lemon, use the zest too. Sometimes we like it with the addition of fennel seed for a light, sweet licorice flavor.
Potato Nutrition
While potatoes are a starchy vegetable, Yukon gold potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. They can be part of a varied, healthy diet. Just watch your portions. If you follow the Daniel Plan, a quarter of the plate is starchy vegetables or grains.
Make Ahead Tips To save time, simmer your potatoes, chill and dice a day or two ahead. Then gently fold in the rest of the ingredients. Serve chilled.
Other Links
For more Mediterranean flavors try my Mediterranean chicken recipe.
Mediterranean Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes about 4 large
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 2 large ribs
- 1/3 cup finely chopped shallot or substitute sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon capers rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
- 4 tablespoons Vegenaise or other healthy mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 2-3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place scrubbed (not skinned) potatoes in a medium pot. Cover with cold water and bring to just under a boil. Turn down heat and simmer until completely tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 20-25 minutes. Drain potatoes, cool and refrigerate until cold. You can do this a day ahead.
- When potatoes are cold, dice into approximately 3/4″ cubes and place in a medium bowl. To the potatoes, add celery, shallot, capers, dill. In a small bowl, stir or whisk together the vegenaise, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard until smooth, then gently fold into the potatoes until the they are well coated. Add salt and pepper to taste, and add extra lemon or dill if preferred.
Sally, love this!! I did not do it with garlic but will give it a try:)
And have a great July 4rth Day!!
Today is Canada day, on my side:)
All the best.
I do it both ways! A little garlic and no garlic. Do what is best for you! And have fun playing with the herbs. Love tarragon too. Happy Canada Day! Love my Canadian buddies!
I love the dill. I have not tried capers. Oh, and I found Vegenaise that is Soy-Free. Delish.
Hello Sally, I just discovered your wonderful blog, thanks to my son who put an app on my smartphone. I have been living in Italy for a long time now, but grew up in the USA and I am still very emotionally linked to my first home. I love your blog!! Yesterday I made your simple grilled zucchini and it was simply delicious! Your recipes are so interesting and healthy, so I’m going to come visit you often! Best wishes, Mary
Thanks Mary! Love to hear that what I post, people enjoy. I am sure many people would be jealous of you living in Italy. We have enjoyed traveling there and look for reward to more trips in the future. Please, keep reporting from Italy! Best, Sally.