Last summer my husband and I went out for a nice dinner date together at Earl's Restaurant. Some friends had recommended we try the Baby Back Ribs with Cajun Chicken, so we got an order and split it. It came with two side dishes for us to choose from and whenthe waiter told me the description of the warm potato salad I pretty much had to wipe my jaw up off the table. I had just tried my first warm potato salad a couple months earlier so I already knew they were fantastic...but the addition of fresh dill, salty bacon and sweet corn was just incredible. Since I was sharing with my husband, I had to restrain myself from eating it all which became EXTREMELY hard to do.
I came home and immediately scribbled down some ideas in my kitchen journal for how I could recreate that salad. I made this a few times last summer and again this summer, and I can assure you it is fantastic. Now to figure out how to make Earl's Blackened Cajun Chicken....
Recipe by Meal Planning 101
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Serves 4 as a side dish
2 lbs new yellow potatoes
1/3 lb bacon, cut into small pieces
1 cup 35% cream
Zest of lemon
Salt and lots of pepper
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup corn kernels
4 green onions, chopped
Put a medium pot of salted water on to boil. You want your potatoes to be about 1 inch in diameter, so add them whole if they are small or cut them in half. Once the water is boiling add the potatoes and cook until tender (about 10 minutes). Add corn (frozen or fresh) in the last minute or two. Drain.
While the water for the potatoes is boiling, begin frying the bacon over medium heat in a frying pan until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel.
In a small saucepan over medium, heat the cream until boiling then turn down to low. Add zest of lemon, salt and lots of pepper. Once it has simmered and reduced a bit, remove from the heat and stir in the dill. Once the potatoes are drained, place them back into their pot and pour over the warm cream while the potatoes are still hot. Toss the potatoes for a couple minutes. The potatoes will suck up the flavor of the cream while you toss. Add the crisp bacon pieces, and chopped green onions and toss again. Pour the potato salad into a pretty bowl to serve.
This can be served immediately while hot, or can sit and rest and be served warm or at room temperature. The longer it sits the more the cream will thicken and be sucked up by the potatoes. Garnish with extra dill.
Click here for printable version of Warm Potato Salad with Corn and Bacon
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RESULTS?
Oh my goodness, this stuff is good! My husband kept singing my praises when I made this for him. This is fantastic alongside grilled meat, or double it and bring to a potluck. The fact that it can be served hot, warm or room temperature makes it a great offering at a potluck. You will love it! It's a great copycat recipe.
Meal Ideas:
- Grilled Steak + Warm Potato Salad + Sauteed Mushrooms with Thyme
- Mom's Greek Ribs + Warm Potato Salad
- Beijing Beauty Grilled Pork Tenderloin + Warm Potato Salad + Green Beans