Old-Fashioned Boiled Dressing Potato Salad
Growing up, I can remember getting excited about family gatherings because of the food. My family can cook, let me tell you. So much wonderful food spread out on the long stretch of the counter at Grandma’s house. One of the best things there was my great-grandmother’s Old-Fashioned Boiled Dressing Potato Salad. This stuff is magical.
Potato Salad Origins
During the 16th century, Spanish explorers discovered the potato in South America and brought the vegetable back to their homeland; from there the potato was introduced to Europe by farmers and merchants.
Potato salad most likely developed in Germany. European style potato salad is generally served warm and incorporates vinegar or olive oil and herbs. Potato salad was later introduced to America by European settlers and, by the early 20th century, Americans created a variation of the European-style potato salad to include mayonnaise.
My Family’s Potato Salad
While my recipe is very, very close to great-grandma’s, it’s not exactly the same. The exact secret in her old-fashioned boiled dressing potato salad recipe seems to have died with her.
I remember a few years when we actually went to great-grandma’s early so that my mom could try to learn how to make her potato salad. Mom was right next to her in the kitchen, watching and writing down everything Great-Grandma did. It was like she was doing a report on it.
After all that scrutiny of how Great-Grandma made her Old-Fashioned Boiled Dressing Potato Salad, Mom STILL couldn’t make it the same. I can remember how frustrated she was. It’s still a running joke in the family.
Perfect to Share
I love anything that I can make a big batch of to share. I love throwing backyard BBQs and other parties where I get to feed family and friends.
There is just something magical about sharing my love of these people via their stomachs.
Food is Love
By feeding people, to me, I’m taking care of one of their base needs. Food is life, and by proxy me sharing food with them is me sharing my love.
Old-Fashioned Boiled Dressing Potato Salad
Old-Fashioned Boiled Dressing Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp flour
- 1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 egg yolks lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 9 medium potatoes (3 pounds)
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1/3 cup green onion sliced
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 3 eggs hard-boiled chopped
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine sugar, flour, mustard and the 3/4 tsp salt in a small saucepan. Add the egg yolks and milk. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened. (Do not boil.)
- Blend in vinegar and butter. Cool.
- Whip cream to soft peaks. Fold into the cooked mixture.
- Meanwhile, in a covered stock pot, boil potates for 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Drain.
- Peel and chop potatoes.
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes, celery, green onion, relish, 1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper.
- Stir in the cooked dressing, tossing lightly to coat vegetables.
- Cover and chill.
- Before serving, fold in hard boiled eggs.
- Garnish with hard-boiled egg slices and fresh parsley, if desired.
Looking for other great recipes? Check out my No-Mayo Red Coleslaw or Mom’s Spicy French Dressing.
I am craving potato salad now! This looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Potato salad like this was one of my cravings when I was pregnant with our daughter – 26 years ago! I don’t have it quite as much these days but it’s still a favourite!
Isn’t it funny how sometimes we just can’t get the exact recipe we remember from a loved one? It makes me really happy that I’m writing a book with vintage family recipes as well as sharing them on the blog so my family’s recipes and my own will outlive me! It looks like you did a wonderful job of duplicating your Great Grandma’s recipe though, Amy, even if it doesn’t taste exactly the same to you. The recipe sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Take care, stay well, and I wish you a wonderful week!