Nan's Classic Mustard Potato Salad

PanNan's Note:

I'm always asked to share this recipe, and people are often surprised to see how similar the ingredients are to their own recipe. While the ingredients may be similar to other posted recipes, the technique is the key to this outstanding potato salad. The specific ingredients are important, too. Russets absorb the flavors best, but don't hold their shape well. Dicing them after they are cold, and folding the other ingredients in gently, takes care of that problem. Don't skimp on the mayo and other dressing ingredients. The potatoes will absorb a lot of moisture, and you want a creamy salad. Another key to flavor and texture is the very fine chopping of the onion, celery and pickle. You want the flavors to disperse throughout the whole dish, but when you take a bite, you want to bite into potato, not an onion chunk. This isn't low cal/low fat. I've tried to lighten it, but it just isn't the same. I save it for special occasions, and make a lot. It keeps for a few days, if your family doesn't sprout curly tails and snouts like mine does when I make it. For smaller apetites and crowds, you can halve the quantity easily. This recipe is perfect served with a Texas BBQ.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 8 cups russet potatoes, cooked, peeled, then diced (about 10 -12 medium potatoes)
• 6 eggs, hard boiled and finely crumbled
• 2 cups sweet onions, very finely diced
• 1 cup celery, peeled and very finely diced
• 3/4 cup dill pickles, very finely diced
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (I prefer Miracle Whip, but mayo works well, too)
• 2 tablespoons mustard, the regular yellow type
• 1/4 cup pickle juice
• 1/4 cup cream (I use half and half)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes in the peel with the whole eggs.
2. Remove the eggs after 10 minutes of boiling, and remove and drain the potatoes when just fork tender.
3. Let eggs and potatoes cool to room temperature.
4. Peel all and refrigerate whole potatoes and eggs until cold.
5. The potatoes will dice and hold up better when cold.
6. Dice the potatoes into 1/4- 3/8" dice.
7. Place into a very large container with a lid.
8. (I have a 4 1/2 qrt glass bowl-shaped casserole with lid that's perfect.) Crumble the eggs (I do this by squishing them in my hand) and add to the container with the diced potatoes.
9. Very finely (like the size of dill relish pieces) chop the onion, celery and pickles.
10. Add to the potatoes and eggs.
11. Gently stir to mix the ingredients evenly.
12. In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, dill pickle juice, cream, salt, pepper and sugar.
13. Whisk until creamy.
14. Pour over potato mixture.
15. Gently stir until the dry particles are coated with the creamy mixture.
16. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
17. 6- 8 hours is even better.
18. If you like color you can sprinkle some sweet paprika over the top.

Reviews

[Hey Jude]

I finally have found the perfect potato salad! This is wonderful, the flavor just perfect for us. I followed your instructions except for the pepper, I only had black pepper and used that, it was just fine but will use white next time. The cream is a nice touch and I love your method of squishing the eggs! Great recipe Nan, this is already a family favorite, Thanks for sharing it!

[FaithB25]

Amazing. This is the BEST mustard potato salad I have ever made. I made it for a family reunion. You should have heard all the comments and everyone wanted to know who made the potato salad. I used Hellman's mayo and French's mustard in the dressing. It was very creamy and tangy. I did sprinkle paprika over the top and it looked super with the added color. Thank-you PanNan for an awesome salad and for making me look good.

[Derf]

PanNan this is definately a classic!!I made half a recipe to take on a picnic today and left half home for supper tomorrow. Only made 2 changes, out of necessity, left the eggs out and made stuffed eggs separately 'cus it was such a hot day. Used DeJong mustard 'and black pepper 'cus that was what I had around. It was a wonderful taste treat with some crunch. Used a huge sweet Spanish Onion and ice cold celery, the kosher salt was a nice change, hadn't tried before in a potato salad, all in all it was a great salad and am looking forward to finishing it for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.