Creamy Cucumber and Grilled Potato Salad

By GadgetGirl

When I was a kid, my mom would marinate cucumbers, red onions and canned potatoes in jarred creamy Italian dressing,” says Jamie Bissonnette. “I’m not saying she was a great cook, but creamy Italian dressing is still my favorite. I make a version of it for this salad.”








2 pounds small to medium Red Bliss potatoes (about 12)
Kosher salt
1/3 cup crème fraîche or mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup or 2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup canola oil, plus more for brushing
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
1/2 cup chopped parsley plus 1 teaspoon minced parsley
Freshly ground pepper
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

1. In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and simmer over moderately low heat until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool completely, then cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the crème fraîche, vinegar, corn syrup, mustard, celery seeds and garlic. Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of oil. Stir in the crushed red pepper, oregano and 1 teaspoon of minced parsley and season the dressing with salt and pepper.
3. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Generously brush the potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the potatoes, cut side down, over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and hot, 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
4. Toss the potatoes with the dressing and season them with salt and pepper. Fold in the cucumber, red onion and the 1/2 cup of chopped parsley and serve.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds small to medium Red Bliss potatoes (about 12)
• Kosher salt
• 1/3 cup crème fraîche or mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup or 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup canola oil, plus more for brushing
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley plus 1 teaspoon minced parsley
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

Details

Cooking time 45mins
Adapted from Food & Wine

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and simmer over moderately low heat until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool completely, then cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the crème fraîche, vinegar, corn syrup, mustard, celery seeds and garlic. Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of oil. Stir in the crushed red pepper, oregano and 1 teaspoon of minced parsley and season the dressing with salt and pepper.
3. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Generously brush the potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the potatoes, cut side down, over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and hot, 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
4. Toss the potatoes with the dressing and season them with salt and pepper. Fold in the cucumber, red onion and the 1/2 cup of chopped parsley and serve.