Pommes de Terre a l'Huile
A French potato salad recipe that is so simple to make at home and is one that most people usually love and want more of! Good quality waxy potatoes are needed for this salad, and some wonderfully fragrant fresh herbs.
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❤️About This French Potato Salad Recipe
Traditional French potato salad is a different type of salad than what is prepared and eaten in North America.
There are no bowls of cooked chunky potatoes smothered in mayonnaise with onions or other vegetable add-ins on the French dining table.
The potato salad made in France is a lightly dressed plate of cooked potato sliced in circles with a perfectly flavored vinaigrette dressing.
Another difference is that this salad is served warm in France, and generally it is served cold across the pond. But you can chill this recipe and serve it cold if you prefer.
I grew up with the North American version, although there are a multitude of variations, just as in France, depending on the person making it at the time. I love them all because I do adore potatoes!
Find more help with salads with my unsurpassed guide to salad making and different types of salads to make.
🥔How To Choose The Perfect Type Of Potato
- Waxy potatoes have a thin, paper-like skin that can be scratched off. They are better for this type of recipe because they will hold their shape when cooked, unlike the floury varieties, which make better-mashed potato recipes.
- Desiree is a good all-around waxy potato variety for roasting, making French fries, and salads. Maris Piper, Anya, Charlotte, Estima, and Maris Bard are other waxy potato types that can be used.
- Redskin potatoes, new potatoes, and fingerling potatoes are also considered waxy varieties.
- These varieties have a lower starch content, so they hold their shape when cooked and work well for a French potato salad recipe like this one.
There are many delicious French potato recipes for dinner as a main meal or a side dish; try them too!
Potato Tips
- Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dark place, and if there are any shoots on them, throw them out if the potato is soft.
- But if it is still firm, cut them out to the root.
- If they are going green, throw them away, or if it is just a little green, cut it away and eat the white part only.
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📖 Recipe
Prep Like a Pro
Before you start cooking, chop, measure, and prep every ingredient, and gather your tools.
This simple habit reduces stress, prevents overcooking, and instantly improves your meals. Mise en Place - "Everything in its place."
French Potato Salad Recipe With Tarragon Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 lb Waxy potatoes red potatoes, fingerlings, new or baby nugget potato, yukon gold or other yellow potatoes
Tarragon Vinaigrette Dressing
- 4 tbsps tarragon vinegar or red or white wine vinegar
- ⅔ cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tbsps spring onion or chives chopped, optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Scrub the potatoes.
- Boil in their jackets in salted water until just tender, cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes.
- Drain and leave to cool just a little.
- Cut into ¼ inch slices.
- Make the dressing by mixing the oil and vinegar, together.
- Add the spring onions/chives, and stir well.
- Then add the tarragon and parsley, and stir.
- Toss lightly with the hot potatoes.
- Truly scrumptious!
Notes
- Potatoes should be kept in a cool dark place and if there are any shoots on them throw them out if the potato is soft.
- But if it is still firm, cut them out to the root.
- If they are going green, throw them away or if it is just a little green, cut it away and eat the white part only.
Loved it, tweaked it, or not your "cup of tea"... I’d really love to hear how it went for you.