I photographed this recipe from one of my oldest and most favorite cookbooks, THE OLD-FASHIONED COOKBOOK by Jan McBride Carlton. It was published in 1975 and I grab it first when looking for a recipe.
When I prepare this potato salad, I mix the hot dressing over the potatoes that have been cooled slightly in cold water but are still hot. I leave the red-skin peeling on and cut into cubes before cooking. The dressing makes this dish. Try it and let me know if you like it. I always get compliments when I bring it to a pot luck. People love it and are always surprised that it is somewhat sweet. Anyway, try it with the sugar the first time around. It's a fabulous recipe for the 4th of July or for Father's Day this weekend. xo
Here is a used book search with some very inexpensive prices if you want to buy a copy. The American First edition is earlier (1975) than the English one published in 1984.
The illustrators also "wrote" a delightful children's book. Thanks, Mundi for mentioning OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS AT MAPLE HILL FARM in the comments. xo❤️
https://permies.com/t/34679/Book-Review-Animal-Friends-Maple
14 comments:
Yes to the sugar and the celery seed !! My Momma was the Queen of potato salad and had to make it in a huge dish pan because she was always asked to bring it to picnics . The key to a great potato salad dressing is EQUAL parts apple cider vinegar and sugar. It won't be tart/sweet enough if you don't use equal. Also the celery seed is very important.
You didn't post it but the key to great cole slaw is to put a small amount of horseradish in it . It keeps the slaw from becoming " krauty" as Momma always said and so did her Mother and my Dad's Mother. Try it and you will be surprised. Instead of having to toss out the day old slaw it gets better and better ! Also = parts sugar and vinegar for slaw dressing. c
Caroline -- Thanks for your tips. I can just see your mother with her dish pan full of potato salad. There is nothing better in the summer, is there? I love your slaw tips too. Old-fashioned recipes that have stood the test of time are the best! Have a great summer.
xo, Rosemary
The potato salad sounds delicious - perhaps similar to German potato salad, which my grandmother made. It also sounds much like my coleslaw recipe, which includes celery seed. Caroline's comment has some great tips, too. Thanks to both of you. Thinking about quilters having a potluck meal makes me a little sad. I'll bet not many women have quilting bees now that quilting by machine is the norm. They must have been both fun and relaxing, as well as everyone showing off their best dishes.
My mother made a great potato salad, too! When I was young, I'd watch her. She never used a recipe, but it always tasted delicious. In fact, I can make a meal of potato salad and be quite content. Thanks for this recipe, Rosemary. I'll try it. Have a great weekend!
Pam, I can make a meal out of potato salad too😂 I think you will love this recipe. Let me know if you do. xo, Rosemary
mia -- You are right. One never hears of quilting bees anymore now that handwork has gone out the window. The machine quilters should try to revive them somehow -- just for the food! Your coleslaw must be delicious.
xo, Rosemary
Rosemary and Mia, I saw your comments about quilters and had to jump on here and tell you that my mother-in-law and many of her church friends gather once a week over 9 months of the year (they take off during the summer). They take turns bringing a big kettle of soup and then the others provide the sides and desserts. The gals spend the entire day working together. They do use sewing machines for some of the assembly, but they either use the "tie off" method or traditional quilting to finish them. The finished quilts are donated to the needy. I'm always moved and impressed when they drape the quilts over the backs of the church pews, at the end of their 9 months of work. There are so many more than you can imagine: some are for babies, others are for little boys, girls, etc. The pastor blesses them and then they're shipped to various locations in the world. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing!"
Pam -- Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your mother-in-law's story of weekly get togethers with her church friends to spend the day quilting for the needy. It is very inspirational. Mia will be pleased to know quilting bees are still going strong in certain places and "It's a good thing, indeed."
xo, Rosemary
In your post about the Old Fashioned Cookbook, you mention the version is American and the second version is English. Not sure what the difference is? Does the English version use a metric system? Sorry to trouble you with these questions. I was thinking about buying a copy, but wanted to understand the difference. Thank you, Kathy
KMKlump -- Kathy, I noticed the two different versions in the book search. My copy, a first edition, was published in 1975. The UK version was published in 1984. Just be careful when ordering to get the American version published by Vineyard Books in New York and printed in USA. The UK version might have metric measurements😱I paid $12.95 when the book was new. Enjoy it if you buy one!!!!!
xo, Rosemary
the ISBN
As soon as I saw the cookbook illustrations, I knew that they must have been done by Alice andMartin Provenson. The Alice and Martin were friends of my parents- in - law in the mid - Hudson Valley. When we had our first child we were give an autographed copy of their wonderful book Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm. The potato salad recipe looks delicious!
Mundi -- That's very exciting to hear of your personal relationship with the illustrators of my favorite cookbook. I must research this children's book they illustrated too. Thanks for the tip.
xo, Rosemary
Rosemary, Not only did they illustrate the book, they ‘wrote’ the book. Please do research it as it is quite charming. A favorite with our kiddos as well as with us. Mundi
Mudni -- I researched the book and found a wonderful link showing some of the illustrations. it is indeed a wonderful children's book! I will add this link to my blog post.
https://permies.com/t/34679/Book-Review-Animal-Friends-Maple
xo, Rosemary
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