๐ฅ๐ฅ Army Potato Salad: A Hearty Classic! ๐ฅ๐ฅ
History:
Army Potato Salad, also known as classic potato salad, is a popular side dish that has been enjoyed for generations. While its exact origins are a bit hazy, it’s believed to have been a staple in military and civilian kitchens alike, making it a versatile and enduring favorite. The salad combines simple ingredients to create a delicious, comforting dish.
Components:
- Potatoes: The star of the show! You’ll need around 2 pounds of waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
- Mayonnaise: About 1 cup for that creamy goodness.
- Mustard: 2 tablespoons of Dijon or yellow mustard for a tangy kick.
- Pickles: 1/4 cup of chopped dill pickles adds a delightful crunch.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Typically, 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped for extra creaminess.
- Celery: 1/2 cup, finely chopped for freshness and texture.
- Red Onion: 1/4 cup, finely chopped, for a mild, tangy bite.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
- Paprika: For a dash of color and smokiness.
Steps to Prepare:
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Boil the Potatoes: Start by boiling the whole potatoes in salted water until they are tender but not mushy. This usually takes around 10-15 minutes. Once done, drain and let them cool.
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Peel and Dice: Once the potatoes are cool, peel and dice them into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
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Hard-Boil the Eggs: In a separate pot, hard-boil the eggs, cool them in cold water, peel, and chop them.
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Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped eggs, pickles, celery, and red onion to the potatoes.
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Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the potato mixture and gently fold everything together until well coated.
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Chill: Refrigerate your potato salad for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to cool.
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Garnish: Before serving, sprinkle paprika over the top for color and a touch of smokiness.
Total Time Needed:
- Preparation: 20 minutes
- Cooking: 15 minutes
- Chilling: 1 hour
- Total: Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes
Army Potato Salad is a delightful, versatile side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or as a comforting accompaniment to your favorite main dishes. Enjoy! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for a typical serving (approximately 1 cup) of Army Potato Salad:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values):
- Calories: 245
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 418mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 27g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin D: 20 IU (4% DV)
- Calcium: 31mg (3% DV)
- Iron: 1mg (6% DV)
- Potassium: 460mg (13% DV)
Health Information:
- Moderate Calories: A serving of Army Potato Salad contains a moderate number of calories, making it a reasonable side dish for most diets.
- Healthy Fats: While it has some fat content, the fats come mainly from mayonnaise and eggs, which provide essential nutrients. It’s important to enjoy such foods in moderation.
- Protein: The salad provides a small amount of protein from eggs, contributing to your daily protein intake.
- Carbohydrates: This dish is relatively high in carbohydrates due to the potatoes, which offer a good source of energy.
- Fiber: There’s some dietary fiber in the salad, although not a significant amount. Adding more vegetables, like carrots or peas, could increase the fiber content.
- Sodium: The sodium content can be relatively high, mainly due to pickles and condiments. If you need to limit your sodium intake, consider low-sodium pickles or reducing the amount of added salt.
- Vitamins and Minerals: The salad provides some essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, although the percentages are not very high.
Keep in mind that the specific nutritional values may vary depending on the ingredients and proportions used in your recipe. If you have specific dietary requirements or health concerns, you can adjust the ingredients to meet your needs.
