Friday, September 24, 2010

Indian Style Potato Salad


Well I'm headed off for a long weekend breakaway with my mom and aunt in the picturesque town of Hermanus, but you didn't think I'd leave you hanging, didya? After all it's National Braai Day* and there is meat to be marinaded, salads to be prepped and perhaps a loaf or two of stinky garlic bread to be made. I promise no-one will frown at your garlic-y breath today. You can tell them it's on my orders if they dare question you.

When it comes to salads for a braai/bbq, there are the classics: potato salad, brimming with egg and mayonnaise, coleslaw, zingy carrot salad with perhaps some shredded pineapple or that store cupboard favourite, three-bean salad. Open up a tin of three different beans and off you go! Everyone is guaranteed to be satisfied if you whip up one of above mentioned.

But sometimes you get tired of the tried-and-tested favourites. You might want to branch out a little bit, without going completely crazy. That's where this Indian inspired potato salad comes in. Full of starchy goodness, just the way you like it, still mayo-y (hey don't mess with a winning formula), but with the added crunch of salty peanuts, crisp green apple, pretty red bellpeppers and bite-sized cauliflower florets. All spiced to perfection. Now doesn't that sound good?

*You are all braai-ing, right? Don't let me catch you sitting on your butt in front of the tv instead of around the fire! I will track you down... dun-dun-dunnnnnnnnnnnn!


Indian Style Potato Salad
Inspired by Feeding Maybelle
Serves 4 - 6

As I've said, this makes for a deliciously different side to a bbq or braai, but it is an equally fabulous option for a casual Meat Free Monday supper.

4 - 5 large roasting potatoes (leave the skin on)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, sliced
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp cumin seeds, crushed
1 tsp ground paprika
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt, to taste

a bunch of spring onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup salted & roasted peanuts


1. Cook potatoes in a pot of salted water for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from heat and allow to cool down before cutting into bite sized cubes.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a small frying pan. Add onion, stirring every so often until softened, then add garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin seeds, paprika and turmeric and cook another minute or so or until fragrant.
3. Combine potatoes, onion, cauliflower, bell pepper and apple in a salad bowl. Mix mayonnaise and lemon juice to form a dressing, adding salt to taste, then spoon over the salad, tossing gently to combine.
4. Scatter spring onions and peanuts over just before serving lukewarm or cold.

19 comments:

  1. I'll be honest, I don't usually like the sweetness of regular potato salad. But this spiced up version...I could totally get behind. Have fun with your mom!

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  2. Thanks I will! Heading out in just over two hours. :-)

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  3. I love potatoes, I love cauliflower and I love spicy food. I cannot see why I have not thought of something like this before. Enjoy your weekend.

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  4. I didn't expect to read mayonnaise here! great idea! I love every type of cabbage and this salad looks amazing...I love spicy indian food too and I'm always looking for something different to eat as a salad...great recipe

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  5. ooh, very nice! i'm always on the lookout for something with a bit of heat that's easy to make and a great lunch to bring to the office. this is perfect! i would probably make this with cauliflower and tofu, too, to bump it up a bit. can't resist some good ol indian food!

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  6. A beautiful flavorful salad!

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  7. That is a very beautiful salad with the unexpected mayo in it! Love the crunch of the peanuts.

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  8. WOW - I love this amazing take on what can sometimes be a boring classic. The flavors in this will surely not disappoint anyone.

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  9. I have about 17 recipe versions of potato salad. 3 of which I've actually tried, and none of them Indian. How ironic! Looks fab!

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  10. I like the combination of potatoes, cauliflower and peanuts. Looks delicious.

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  11. I'm such a sucker for Indian spices and this recipe actually makes my mouth water. Your photos are just getting better and better, Marisa. I've just left a comment on Nina's blog saying that it's a disgrace that her blog has not been recognised in certain blog awards, and the same applies to your blog. x

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  12. What a lovely potato salad! Such a fun new twist with Indian flavors. I hope you have a wonderful time with your family this weekend!

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  13. I love the flavors in this. Great twist on potato salad...looks really good!

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  14. Thanks, we had a super time! A bit sad to be back.

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  15. Thanks Juno - your words mean a lot to me. In the end, I don't blog for awards, but for the creative outlet and the positive feedback from fellow bloggers like yourself.

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  16. Well I hope this one makes it on to your list and onto your plate! :-)

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  17. Yup, can vouch that it makes a delicious office lunch the next day!

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  18. The mayo adds a nice creamy tang, but you could sub with plain yogurt for a more health-conscious, but equally delicious version. Make it your own!

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