ANOTHER vegetable salad recipe?? Some of my old friends will think I’ve undergone a lobotomy or something. After all, I used to hate vegetables so much that when my mum wasn’t looking, I’d dump the greens on my plate into the drain!
But this potato salad recipe is so good that I just HAD to share it with you guys.
After a really heavy lunch on Sunday, I thought hubs and I should have a light dinner. Salad was a natural option, but since it’s dinner we’re talking about, it had to be filling enough. A hearty potato salad seemed like the perfect solution.
In the process of Googling, I discovered two promising-sounding potato salad recipes. A classical version by legendary chef Jacques Pepin that involved making a really easy dressing and one more by Australian TV chef Justine Schofield that incorporates roasted bell peppers. Both sounded equally delicious. A new dilemma arose: which one should I make?
After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, I thought, why don’t I make BOTH – by combining them into one recipe?
So that’s what I did. The result is this wonderful salad that’s so so good it will please even carnivores!
It starts out as a regular potato salad. You know the drill: create a mayo-based dressing, add boiled potatoes and seasonings, blah blah.
Then the “surprising” ingredients start coming in, beginning with the roast peppers that lends extra depth and sweetness.
But it’s the final topping that will raise eyebrows even higher: fried shallots!
Why fried shallots? Because I wanted a smokey taste reminiscent of bacon bits while keeping the recipe vegetarian. Spotting the bottle of fried shallots on my kitchen counter, a light bulb went off in my head.
To be honest, I was initially worried that this aggressively-Asian condiment would clash with the classical Western flavours. Well there was only one way to find out.
Good news, it worked beautifully! The fried shallots lent a pop of smokiness that was harmoniously compatible the creamy dressing, hearty potatoes and vibrant bell peppers.
The other ingredient I added to the dressing was agave (I believe honey would work too). I found the original dressing in the Jacques Pepin recipe a little too sharp for my taste. Could have something to do with the type of mustard I used. To mellow the pungency down, I added some agave – yummmy!
I foresee this recipe will be making many repeat appearances on my menu. It’s great as a side dish but can also stand as a complete meal on its own. We ate only this for dinner last night and were perfectly happy and fulfilled. Burp!
Roast Peppers Potato Salad
Equipment
- Pot, mixing bowl, whisk
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized potatoes
- 1-2 bell peppers (depending on size)
- 1-2 tbsp fried shallots
- 1 stalk spring onions (only green parts), chopped
Dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- Agave or honey to taste (start with 1 tsp)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place bell peppers in a baking tray and roast at preheated 180 C oven for 20 minutes. Remove and using tongs, give peppers a half turn. Return to oven roast for another 20 minutes. You know it's done when the skin is blistered and lightly charred. Leave to cool, then remove skins and chop bell peppers into strips.
- In the meantime, fill up a pot with enough water to cover potatoes and boil for 40 minutes or until potatoes are soft but not crumbly. Remove and leave to cool, then remove skins and dice into bite-sized chunks.
- In a mixing bowl, place all dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Add in potatoes, roast peppers, fried shallots and spring onions and toss to coat with dressing. Serve!
Here’s another delicious salad recipe that will win over even carnivores.
I don’t really like bell peppers…probably I’ll just add a small one and see how it goes….THANKS ALEX FOR SHARING 😘
Hehe try and see. It may convert you!
I’ve tried this recipe third time within a week and I really love how savoury it turned out even without meat! I think it’s definitely the combination of the honey mustard mayo dressing plus the bonus fried shallots (I used red onions) and spring onions! On my third try, I added smoked duck and it was such a great combo too! This is quickly becoming a favourite in our kitchen and my go-to salad to serve guests next to a pot of lasagna. Thanks Alex!
That’s wonderful Pei Ling, and the addition of smoked meat is such a clever addition. Can’t wait to try it out myself!