Foodie Fridays: Herbed Walnut Potato Salad

If you are looking for a great potato salad recipe to try for Memorial Day, you should check out this one for Herbed Walnut Potato Salad.  I am not fond of mayonnaise-based potato salads as they are usually very bland, but this dish has a vinaigrette dressing that is quite tasty - just be sure to serve it at room temperature to bring out the flavors (another advantage of a vinaigrette dressing is that it can sit out at room temperature without spoiling).  Rather than adding all of the walnuts to the entire recipe just before serving, I prefer to offer the toasted walnuts on the side, to be added to individual servings and stirred in just before eating.  This method guarantees that the walnuts will be crisp and crunchy and will not become soggy from sitting the vinaigrette for too long.  Have a safe and fun Memorial Day, and enjoy whatever dishes you decide to serve!

Herbed Walnut Potato Salad

3 lbs. each small Yukon Gold potatoes

1 can (15 oz.) white beans, rinsed and drained

1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 C.)

3/4 C. sliced green onions

1/4 C. minced fresh parsley

1/4 C. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 C. white balsamic vinegar*

1 T. Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

1 C.walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

2 T. snipped fresh basil

Quarter the potatoes and place in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket.  Steam for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.  Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with the beans, bell pepper, green onions, and parsley.  Whisk together the oil, vinegar, and mustard, add salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle over the salad.  Lightly toss to coat the vegetables with the dressing, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 1 hour).  Just before serving, stir in the walnuts and basil.  Serves 8.

*We were given a bottle of Savory Olive Comic Pear White Balsamic Vinegar as a gift last year so I used it in this recipe.  I would recommend getting a bottle if you can find it, as the comice pear flavor adds a unique sweetness to the salad that is irresistibly delicious!