Clove

Fresh Herb Potato Salad

July  2, 2012
4.5
2 Ratings
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

It is that time of year, potato salad season. You will see many, everyones will be the best and in the end you will make your grandmothers. I will too with boiled eggs on top and all but I also like to make a vinegar type potato salad because I like them just as well. The one thing I do hear is I boil the garlic with the potatoes. It permeates the potatoes with its flavor and it is soft so I can mash it with salt and whisk it into the dressing. Sometimes I can't help myself and add a dollop of mayo to the finished dish just for good measure. —thirschfeld

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Ingredients
  • 4 cups yukon gold potatoes cut into wedges from golf ball size potatoes
  • 3 to 4 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and bruised or smashed but not to bits
  • kosher salt for the cooking water
  • sea salt for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon French whole grain mustard, actually from France
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • olive oil as needed
  • 2 teaspoons chives, minced
  • 2 teaspoons tarragon, minced
  • 2 teaspoons savory or thyme, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
Directions
  1. Add the potatoes and the garlic to a large pot. Cover them with cold water by two to three inches. Add a good dose of kosher salt.
  2. Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat and cook the potatoes until a toothpick inserted into one of the larger wedges easily pierces the potato but not all the way to the middle. You want to use your friend carry over cooking here. It will keep the potatoes from becoming pasty.
  3. Remove the garlic cloves and place them onto a cutting board. Add a pinch of salt to them and using the wide side of a chefs knife smear them onto the board then use the blade to scoop the paste up.
  4. Put the paste into a large bowl that will easily hold all the potatoes. Add the mustard and red wine vinegar. Season it with salt and pepper then stir in 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir the dressing.
  5. While the potatoes are still warm add them to the dressing and stir them to coat. Put them into the fridge to cool. The potatoes will suck all the oil and vinegar up like a sponge so before you serve it taste it.
  6. Add more oil, vinegar or salt and pepper if needed. Stir in the herbs and serve.

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3 Reviews

Pat E. July 5, 2015
I made these for the 4th...about the only change was using little red potatoes and adding some parsley to the colection of herb becaue it was there looking so perky as I was picking the rest of the herbs. The cooking tip on the potatoes was spot on and left them cooked through but "al dente"...perfect! I always used to make Julia's french potatot salad but this will be my new "go to". Thanks, Tom!
thirschfeld July 12, 2012
Yes Hope the garlic should be cooked with the potatoes.
Hope P. July 12, 2012
Should the garlic cloves be cooked with the potatoes? You say to remove them but not from what.