Sometimes impromptu BBQ’s just happen. It seems in my life; it happens more than it doesn’t; luckily I am pretty used to them; whether throwing or attending. I can pull together a side or two fairly effortlessly sometimes with the help from a few key ingredients. This happened to us just yesterday; friends invited us over for a BBQ dinner and a fire. I spent the day doing out of town errands so not a lot of time to make something entirely homemade. I love potato salad but I have never found a store made one that I could purchase that I liked. Trust me I keep trying; just in case; it would make life a little easier when in a rush.
Grocery shopping was the last stop on my day of errands. I knew I needed to make a potato salad to bring and I contemplated buying some from the store; I couldn’t bring myself to do it. BUT I did notice they had a package of hard boiled eggs. I didn’t even hesitate to pick them up. I have mentioned a time or two before that while I can cook a perfect hard boiled egg, peeling them is just not in my wheelhouse. More than a few are literally only good for making a potato salad since you chopped them all up.
My husband was walking by while I was opening the bag of already cooked eggs. stopped in his tracks and asked; “what are those?” I said it was totally legal, he thinks he’s funny and continued walking say “I don’t know about that” He’s such a brat!
Tomorrow being Memorial Day you never know if you’ll get a phone call inviting you over for a small BBQ. This version is really easy and you might just have what you need on hand. It is only 8 ingredients and 4 of them are pretty much optional since the dressing has loads of spices.
3 hard boiled eggs
1-2 lb Small red bliss potatoes
½ cup Mayo
1-2 stalks of celery diced small (opt)
3 tbs Zesty Italian dressing such as Kens
1-2 scallions finely diced (opt)
Kosher salt (opt) let each person add it at the table
Fresh cracked black pepper (opt) let each person add it at the table
You can either cut up the potatoes before boiling or after. I was busy emptying my truck and putting things away so I left them whole.
Boil potatoes in cold salted water for about 20-25 minutes; till soft but not mushy
Cut into 1 inch pieces and place in a zip lock bag; add Italian dressing zip the bag closed and mix with the dressing being careful not to break up the potatoes and place in the fridge to cool.
By adding the dressing while still warm the potatoes take on all the dressings’ flavors.
Once cooled, add the mayo and cut up hard boiled eggs a little salt and pepper; mix just till combined. Sprinkle with scallions or chives.
It is that simple and has a great flavor