Potato Salad - A light summer meal

What could be better on a hot summer day than that old standby Potato Salad.

Potato Salad (Canadian style) is the first meal my mother taught me to make. Mother invented Potato Salad and it has become an International favourite ever since. Every Canadian Family makes this meal at least once a week in the summer!!

Here is how to make 100% genuine Canadian Potato Salad and all the trimmings. It is simple, economical and tasty.











The most important thing to know is, "Anything Goes!"

So first get some potatoes. I prefer the white flesh, light skinned variety call "New Potato" in Canada. I discovered a very similar potato in Brasil. Be careful not to use the ones for making mashed potatoes because they do not stay firm when cooked. See the recipe for Maionese Brasileiro later.

Peel the potatoes with your special peeler you must have bought by now if you have been following our recipes.





Cut them into small pieces so the cook faster. Don't cook so long that they crumble.




While cooking the potatoes boil some eggs. when done, put both potatoes and eggs into the refrigerator to chill them.




Cut up a variety of vegetables that you like. I select green onions (Spring Onions to some people). Cut them into tiny pieces. I also used green pepper, chopped.




Peel (thick) a cucumber. Then cut into tiny pieces like the onions above.




Notice the little dish in the background. We put half the veggies there and the rest in the bowl with the potatoes. A peeled chopped apple adds great flavour.




Mix the potatoes and veggies. Add mayonaise. Then garnish with paprika. It adds great colour.

Next chop up some cabbage, add the rest of the veggies froim the small dish, add mayonaise and garnish with paprika also.





Put the potato salad and the cabbage salad into back into the refrigerator to chill the mixes.

Slice up the cucumber you have left after you peeled it. Put it in a bowl with water and white vinegar mixed 1/2 1nd 1/2. Put it in the refrigerator also.

Next, take some fresh lettuce and lay it on a serving dish. Add sliced ham and tomato wedges.




Now you are ready to eat a fine summer meal. Delicious!


Recipe Variations.

Potatoes - use any type you like
Veggies - add any type you like
such as: Cucumber, Green Onions, Tomatoes, Peas, Corn, Cabbage, Carrots, Red Pepper, Green Pepper, etc.
Just be sure to chop them into small pieces.
Use whatever Mayonaise you like. I select very low fat, ultra light for health reasons.
The Cabbage salad is made pretty much the same way with the same ingredients.
Garnish with Paprika and sliced hard boiled eggs.
Add slices of ham or any cold cuts you prefer.
Let stand in the Refrigerator to blend the flavours.

Notice I did not include quantities of anything. It is all a matter of personal choice and availability. For example, in Canada, I used chopped Celery but we haven't found any locally in Brasil.

The quantity makes no difference to the recipe. Just make as much as you wish. Add amount of ingredients you feel you need. The amount shown here is suitable for one or two people.

Enjoy the meal. It is simple and very very good on a hot day.




Photos by Urso Branco