Tasty Thursday - Picnic Fare - Potato Salad

Continuing our series on picnic fare, todays Tasty Thursday is about that classic american dish .. Potato Salad. As lacto-vegetarians (means we have dairy but no eggs), generally store bought potato salad doesnt work for us since it contains mayo. However, we have found a pretty good substitute - Salad Cream. Here in South Africa, there is a brand called Trim which contains low oil and no eggs making it an extremely healthy choice. There is a light version as well, so if you're watching those calories, this is the way to go! This is an excellent side dish, a meal on it own or an additional relish in your burgers, hotdogs and braaied sausages.

Potato Salad

Potatoes (peeled and cubed)

Cross and Blackwell Trim Salad Cream

1/2 cup chopped herbs - Dill, Spring Onion, Chives

1/2 teaspoon curry powder 

Salt and Pepper to taste

Microwave potatoes until cooked through.

Allow to cool slightly.

While still slightly warm, pour the salad cream over (enough to cover thoroughly) and mix - doing this while the potatoes are still warm will allow you to mix the cream in easier

Add salt, pepper and curry powder and mix through

Toss in half the herbs and mix evenly

Decorate the top with remaining herbs

Tasty Thursday - Picnic Fare - Baked Bean Salad

Now that the weather is warming up, I thought it would be a good idea to do a series on quick easy picnic food for Tasty Thursdays.

What I love about picnic food, is that it is so versatile. The baked bean salad listed below can also be spread on a pizza base or even just a slice of bread topped with some cheese and oregano and baked for a quick delicious pizza. Grill some Italian or French bread rounds brushed with garlic and olive oil, top with the baked beans salad and a sprinkling of fresh herbs and you have some tasty (and classy) bruschetta to serve at brunch.  Spread a cracker with low fat cream cheese, drop of dollop of this mixture on top and you have a quick, healthy snack. Or you could serve it as an accompaniment or side dish when braaing (barbecuing). You could even use it as a type of relish inside a burger or hotdog. I could go on and on. Go crazy and let your creative juices flow to come up with other exciting ways to use this versatile salad.

Baked Bean Salad

1 tin Baked Beans in tomato sauce

1 Tomato (chopped)

1/4 - 1/2 an onion (optional)

1/2 cup chopped parsley, spring onions, coriander

1 tsp medium curry powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp crushed ginger and garlic

1/2 tsp crushed green chillies (cayenne)

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

Method

Mix all ingredients into a large bowl and refrigerate until time to use.