There is no shortage of ways to prepare a delicious potato salad. You can combine the potatoes with all sorts of vegetables or herbs and spices. Even though easy in theory, the end result might not be what we expect. To avoid unpleasant surprises, follow the steps listed below for the perfect potato salad:
1. Choose the right potatoes
When making potato salad, it's important to choose hard potatoes. If you boil soft ones, they will get mushy while still in the pot. Also look for and remove rust colored spots on the potatoes.
2. Small is beautiful
Choose potatoes of the same size so that they all take the same amount of time to boil. Ideally, the potatoes should be small enough that all you have to do is cut them in half. The so-called "baby potatoes" are perfect for this.
3. Do not fear salt
Boil the potatoes in salted water. This will guarantee a magnificent taste to your salad.
4. Give them room
Boil the potatoes in a large container. Don't put them in a small one where they won't be able to boil evenly.
5. Keep close track of them
Once they come to a boil, check to see if they're ready in 15 min. Be careful not to over boil them. Check to see if they're ready with a knife, not a fork. If you use a fork you might damage the inside of the potato and cause it to fall apart. Stick the knife in the potato. If it falls off from it back into the pot, it means it's boiled enough.
6. Cut the potatoes while still hot
Cut the potatoes into small bites while still warm. A hot potato absorbs more dressing.
7. Learn the proportions
For every 4.5 lb (2 kg) of potatoes you will need 1/2 to 1 cup of dressing, depending on how much of it you want in your salad. For the classic summer dressing, you will need 1 cup of mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon of mustard, 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and 3 tablespoons ground red or white onions.
8. Don't be too hasty with the spices
Even though the dressing is added while the potatoes are still warm, other products such as vegetables and fresh herbs need to be added immediately prior to serving.
9. Double the dressing
Potato salads are always in need of more dressing than you think, so don't ever be worried about doubling it.
10. Taste it
Before you serve the salad, taste it if you haven't already, just in case.
Bon appetit!