When you think of potato salad, do stodgy potatoes in thick mayonaise sauce spring to mind? If so think again! If that's the case, think again! This piquant potato salad is an altogether different kettle of fish. Not that a good traditional mayonnaise based potato is a bad thing, but this potato salad is lighter, packed with flavour, and makes a good addition to a summer meal.
More to salad then lettuce
I'm sure many of you, like me prefer to eat lots of salads during the summer months, and it's easy enough to just resort to the basics like lettuce, tomato and cucumber - let's face it we have all done it. While they might form a good base, it does tend to get a bit monotonous unless you liven it up a bit. Of course you can simply add some other ingredients like sliced peppers (I like those thin pointy peppers), celery, spring onions, grated carrot or beetroot to add flavour and colour. Even so, it does help to add some other side salads to keep meals interesting.
That's where this piquant potato salad comes in. The potatoes are roasted and then tossed in a light oil and vinegar dressing, and flavoured with chopped onion, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and chopped parsley. Personally I also like to add some chopped bacon for extra flavour, but this can easily be omitted to create a vegetarian version.
This piquant potato salad is delicious served warm when freshly made but will also keep 2-3 days in the refrigerator. I often make it when I have the oven on for something else, thus avoiding putting the oven on just for this dish. Served with a leafy salad along side grilled or barbecued meat or fish or cheese or cold meats, it is the makings of a prefect summer time meal.
Step by step piquant potato salad
Piquant potato salad
Ingredients
- 500 g salad or new potatoes
- 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 8 rasher bacon
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- 4 pieces sun dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers chopped
- handful flat leaf parsley leaves removed and chopped
- 1 tablespoon sherry or red wine vinegar
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200℃ /180 ℃/ gas mark 6. If the potatoes are small leave them whole if not, cut them into large chunks. Place in a roasting tin and drizzle with 2 tablespoon of the oil.
- Roast for 10 minutes. Cut the bacon into thin strips - I find this easiest to do with scissors - and scatter over the potatoes. Return to the oven and roast for a further 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is cooked and the potatoes are tender.
- Meanwhile place the remaining oil, onion, tomatoes, capers, parsley and vinegar in a large mixing bowl and combine with a fork. Season with black pepper.
- When the potatoes are cooked lightly crush each potato with a fork. Add to the bowl with the dressing and toss until well combined. Serve immediately or cool and chill until required.
- Notes: If serving cold, let the salad cool down and keep chilled until required. Bring back up to room temperature before serving.
Hints, tips and variations
- Bacon adds saltiness to the dish so take care not to add too much additional salt. - Omit the bacon for a vegetarian option.
- I like to use red onions for colour but regular onions, spring onions or shallots could also be used.
- Want a little more piquancy - add some chopped gherkins or olives into the mix.
- Do not want to turn on the oven - use boiled or steamed potatoes instead.
- Lightly crushing the potatoes allows them to absorb some of the dressing.
- When serving cold, serve at cool room temperature rather than chilled for the best flavour.
Martin @ The Why Chef
Capers are my 'must try and use these more' ingredient that I never find a good use for! Plus I'm always wanting potato sides/salads but wind up stuck for healthy ideas so just go back to plain boiled or mash! Saving this for the weekend 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
I think we have all been there when it comes to getting in a rut and having the same old, same old. Good to have a change once in a while:) Capers are an ingredient that are growing on me used to dislike them immensely but now I can appreciate them. Do let me know what you think if you make them at the weekend.
Sarah James
Your potato salad looks delicious Jacqui. I like the idea of a lighter dressing and roasting the potatoes with the bacon, yum.
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
Thank you. It is hard not to like bacon. 🙂
Julie Nelson Rhodes
I think we'll be making this A LOT!!!
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
Thats what I like to hear 🙂
All That I'm Eating
This is my kind of potato salad. I love everything you have in here, it's almost like a tartare sauce! I must try this.
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
HaHa I like mayo ones too so long as the dressing isn't too thick but I think this one much is nicer. Let me know what you think if you try it.