Herby Potato Salad With Smashed Olives Food

HERBY POTATO SALAD WITH SMASHED OLIVES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot; add 2 teaspoons salt and enough water to cover generously. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes, until just tender when pierced with a fork. (Be careful not to overcook!) Drain and set aside until just cool enough to handle.
• While the potatoes cook, in a large bowl, combine the vinegar and mustard with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Add the olives, shallot and capers, and set aside to marinate for 10 to 20 minutes.
• When the potatoes are just cool enough to handle, cut them in half (or quarters, to end up with bite-size pieces), and add them to the bowl with the dressing. Gently combine and set aside to cool completely, tossing occasionally.
• Stir in the mint and parsley, along with more salt and pepper to taste, and serve the potato salad at room temperature.

HERBY POTATO SALAD WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with 2 inches water. Generously season the water with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes.
• While the potatoes cook, place the bacon in a cold skillet and turn to medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and thyme to the pan. Saute the bacon and thyme until just starting to crisp, about 7 minutes; we want to render the bacon slowly. Once the bacon has rendered some of its fat, add the onions to the bacon and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vinegar, butter and mustard.
• Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and add immediately to the pan with the sauteed bacon. Stir to coat, adjusting the seasoning, if necessary. Add the remaining fresh herbs, toss and serve.
• This salad can be served warm or at room temperature.
• Cook's Note: Adding the potatoes while they are still warm will help them to soak up the flavors of the vinaigrette.

OLIVE OIL AND HERB CRUSHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil, add a generous pinch of salt and simmer over medium heat until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and transfer them to a plate to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the shallot, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes.
• Using your fingers, lightly crush the potatoes and transfer to the large bowl. Add the olive oil and mix gently, then fold in the arugula, parsley, dill and chives. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

HEALTHY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, drop in the basil for 30 secs or until wilted, then fish out with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool slightly. Add the potatoes and cook until tender.
• Meanwhile, squeeze out the basil over the sink, then put in a blender along with the oil, vinegar, garlic and a good pinch of seasoning. Blitz until you have a vibrant green oil.
• Drain and steam-dry the potatoes. Chop the parsley, then tip it and the potatoes into a serving bowl. Season and toss in the basil oil. Will keep for two days.

SQUASHED HERBY POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook the new potatoes (with their skins on) in boiling salted water for 15-20 minutes depending on their size. They should be quite soft for this recipe.
• Meanwhile warm the oil and herbs in a small pan - this helps release all the flavours. Drain the potatoes, tip them into a bowl and 'squash' each potato with a fork - it should break up but not fall apart. Be gentle here, as you don't want the potatoes completely collapsing. Pour over the herb oil, gently stir, tip into a serving dish, then sprinkle over a good pinch of Maldon sea salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
• Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
• Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.

SMASHED TOMATO AND OLIVE SALAD

Steps:

• In serving bowl, squeeze the tomatoes.
• Squeeze the olives in same bowl.
• Add olive oil and red wine vinegar.
• Set aside until ready to eat.
• Tear in as much basil as you can.
• Voila.