Potato Salad with Dijon Dressing
Potato salad is a side dish that graces tables at family gatherings, barbecues, and holiday feasts in many cultures. Its creamy texture and deliciously satisfying nature make it a crowd-pleaser. While traditional potato salad recipes often feature a mayo-based dressing, sometimes it’s nice to add a little twist to an old favorite. This potato salad with Dijon dressing is a vibrant, tangy, and slightly spicy alternative to the classic. This variation not only brings fresh flavors to the dish, but it’s also lighter and less heavy, making it an ideal choice for warmer weather.
Why Dijon Mustard?
Dijon mustard, with its smooth texture and sharp, spicy undertones, offers a delicious flavor profile compared to traditional yellow mustard. It originates from Dijon, France, and is typically made with brown or black mustard seeds, white wine, and vinegar, which creates its signature tang. This mustard is a perfect balance of zesty heat and mild sweetness, giving your potato salad a new depth of flavor.
Incorporating Dijon mustard into your potato salad dressing offers several advantages:
- Complex flavor: The mustard’s sharpness cuts through the richness of the potatoes, offering a refreshing contrast.
- Lighter than mayo: Dijon mustard-based dressings tend to be less creamy and more acidic, resulting in a lighter, fresher salad without sacrificing flavor.
- Healthier option: A Dijon-based dressing typically contains fewer calories and fat than the traditional mayo-heavy dressing, making it a great choice for those looking for a healthier alternative.
The Ingredients You’ll Need for Potato Salad with Dijon Dressing
To make a vibrant potato salad with Dijon dressing, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Potato Salad:
- Starchy potatoes
- Red onion
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Fresh parsley
- Pickled Cucucmbers
- Green Olives
For the Dijon Dressing:
- Dijon mustard: The star ingredient that adds a bold kick to the dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds brightness and acidity to balance the mustard’s heat.
- Olive oil: For a smooth and rich base.
- Maple syrup: A small amount of sweetness to counterbalance the mustard’s sharpness.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
Potato Salad with Dijon Dressing Variations and Customizations
The beauty of potato salad lies in its versatility, so feel free to get creative with the ingredients. Here are a few ideas for customizing your Dijon potato salad:
- Add protein: To make the salad more substantial, consider adding chickpeas or lentils. These additions provide a savory element to complement the mustard dressing.
- Spicy kick: If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce to the dressing for a spicy kick. Sriracha also work well in this recipe.
- Herb options: While parsley is a classic garnish, you can also experiment with other fresh herbs, like chives, dill, or tarragon, to bring out different flavors.
The Benefits of a Dijon Dressing
The Dijon mustard-based dressing offers several benefits over the traditional mayonnaise-based version. Here are a few reasons to opt for Dijon in your potato salad:
- Lighter, fresher taste: Dijon mustard adds a tangy bite that makes the salad feel less heavy, especially on a warm day.
- Fewer calories and fats: Compared to a mayo-based dressing, a Dijon mustard dressing typically contains fewer calories and fats, making it a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a healthier version of this classic dish.
- More antioxidants: Mustard seeds are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation and promote overall health.
- Versatility: Dijon mustard can be used in a variety of dishes, from salad dressings to marinades, so it’s a handy ingredient to keep in your kitchen.
Check out more recipes:
Savory Chickpea Granola Clusters
Potato Salad with Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
- 1kg (2lbs) Potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 roasted red bell pepper (jarred)
- 3 pickled cucumbers
- 1 small red onion
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ⅓ cup green olives
Dressing
- 3 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by peeling and chopping potatoes into bite sized cubes. Coat the potatoes in olive oil and salt and roast in the preheated 200C/400F oven for about 35 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Meanwhile chop the pickles, thinly slice red onion, roasted red pepper, olives and finelly chop the parsley.
- Prepare the Dijon dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the mixture into a smooth, creamy dressing.
- When potatoes are cooked, transfer to a large salad bowl together with other vegetables. Pour over the dressing and mix well to combine. The warmth of the potatoes will allow the dressing to soak in, giving the salad a richer flavor. Be sure to taste the salad at this point and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you like a bit more acidity, a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash more vinegar can enhance the flavor.
- Allow flavors to mled for at lest 15 minutes before serving. Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss, and garnish it with extra fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!
