I wanted to get this recipe up in time for you to consider it for Fourth of July though.  I know, I know, you always have the same potato salad and it is tradition…well yeah! Me too, but you have to try this because it is addictive. Have I ever lied to you? I am telling you that this potato salad is absolutely my favorite now, and although I grew up on the traditional Midwestern style potato salad with a tiny touch of mustard, boiled egg, and celery, THIS blows my Mom’s potato salad out of the water. Sorry Mom.

Unlike classic potato salad this shouldn’t sit around very long. The hot peppers tend to get hotter as they sit… so what seems to be mild at 10 a.m. is spicy at 4 p.m. and three-alarm by day 2, if it lasts that long. The warm flavors of the Southwest are highlighted and this is perfect with the classic burgers and hot dogs, or a brisket.

I used organic red skinned potatoes for this but next time I plan on using a combination of organic heirloom potatoes; for color an flavor. The thin skinned potatoes are important to use in this recipe for their flavor, texture, and color.

I saw a recipe in Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill Cookbook and decided that I wanted to try it…but as usual I could not follow directions and had to go off on my own tangent. I think you will agree that it is an awesome tangent.

You might want to cut back on the spicy peppers. The chipotles will be the hottest and the poblanos the mildest. The potato and mayo tone down the spice but still….

Southwestern Potato Salad

• 4 lbs heirloom, thin skinned potatoes, cut and boiled until tender but not mushy
• 2 red onions, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, roasted until soft
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 Poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2-3 canned chipotle peppers in mole, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
• 2 cups Hellmans (yes, Hellmans) or homemade mayo
• 2 tbs Guldens brown mustard
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tablespoon agave, turbinado, or local honey
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin (I used a tablespoon)

Mix the mayo, mustard, agave, cumin, and lime juice. Squeeze in the soft insides of the roasted garlic and mix well. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro, and chopped garlic until well mixed.

Pour the mayo mixture over all and blend gently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 8

images:maryeaudet

Post from: Baking Delights

Kyrie’s birthday was the first, Nick’s is today(he is 8), and Matt’s is the 11th.  Tomorrow is the fourth of July and Sunday is the Founder’s Day picnic at church. (Jaws Theme background music)

Stressed? Me?

Somehow I convinced Kyrie and Nick that cupcakes were the absolutely coolest birthday thing this year. That made it a little easier.  Usually they want things like castles and cake trains that really move.  Made from seven kinds of cake….and twelve kinds of frosting…

O.k..I exaggerated.  A  little.

Anyway.  So I have Nicks vanilla cupcakes in the oven, I think we have enough chocolate ice cream left to go around..AND the fourth of July isn’t until tomorrow.

I used a classic vanilla recipe and then added colored sprinkles at the last minute to make them confetti cupcakes. That should make him happy.

Thrill of all thrills…My cohort, Mary, sent them McDonalds gift certificates for their birthdays …I will have to tell you about her and my 20 year friendship some time…You know how opposites attract? Well think of me…Now think of everything opposite of me…She shops at the store whose name shall never cross my lips..uses plastic bags…likes Blue Bell ice cream better than homemade (she thinks the additives add flavor)..and she is the very best friend anyone could have..Anyway the gift cards were enough for Kyrie and Nick to take Sean to McDonalds..and they had all gotten new fishing poles a few weeks ago (someone gave them to them)…so Marc took them fishing and to McDonalds..A whole day with Daddy, McDonalds, and Fishing. To my kids THAT is a remarkable birthday!

I will get the pictures and recipe for the cupcakes posted a little later..

I think we are going to do hot dogs tonight…burgers on the grill tomorrow, with macaroni salad…and maybe cookies.  Something hopefully low key.

So, I f I don’t see ya tomorrow…have a great fourth!

Post from: Baking Delights

While the writers of the b5media Lifestyles Channel may be scattered about globally, one thing we all have in common is a celebration of fireworks. Whether it’s the U.S. and our Fourth of July – or a very different kind of holiday in Perth – we all know the unique smell that penetrates the air and the sense of freedom the mere sound of them instill. There is truly something so divine about a celebration of fireworks – they do create some of the most treasured memories.Chloe of Tangled Thread shares a few festive fireworks and needlework patterns.

Kerri and Cory at Marriage Actually talk about why having a shared past is one of the best parts about being married.

Heather at A Creative Journal shares her first memory of firecrackers with a view from Australia.

Christine at Mad Cropper remembers Guy Fawkes Day, a day celebrated in New Zealand with lots of fireworks. Find out why Guy Fawkes is celebrated by the English and most commonwealth countries. It is indeed a blast from the past!

Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork, provides a quiz for her readers. See how many of the quilt designs you can connect with historical Americana – events, objects or people.

On Baking Delights I reflect on just how much menu’s have changed over the years while at Kettle and Cup I give you an awesome chiller with Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea

Kelly Saunders at Thrifty Mommy shares her favorite 4th of July memory – I just can’t spoil the surprise – check it out.

Char and Christine continue Camp Weary Parent with this weeks Patriotic activities: Star Spangled Rocket and a week full of other fun projects

Marcie and Mary Emma are blasting through books with Fourth of July and summer recommendations at One Book Two Book. Make sure to check out Fourth of July Books for Teens and The 10 Best Fourth of July Picture Books

Linette at Robust Cooking shares 10 Healthy 4th of July Dessert Ideas. At Mother Earth’s Garden she calls out the old saying about corn – “Knee high by the fourth of July.” At She Knows Parties, she shares fond memories of her summers and holidays as a child.

Karen at Thrifty Mommy probably has the most reason to celebrate the fourth as anyone I’ve heard – join Karen as she shares family photos of one of the most memorable nights in her families lives.

Sandy at All Holiday Cafe provides us with a list of when Independence Day is celebrated in various countries around the world.

Christina at SoloMother shares her own experiences of celebrating the 4th of July in the nations capital.

Susan at PlayLibrary shares her memories of playing the classic game of Zimm Zamm during her family’s annual July 4th barbecue celebration.

Eliza at Babylune reflects back on early holiday celebrations with baby on board and looks to this years celebration – their first out of the military.

And finally, there’s Gayla at MomGadget who sharea a Bluegrass Kinda Fourth of July.

To all our readers in the U.S. – we wish you the happiest and safest of holidays – and everyone else, thanks for allowing us to share our own memories with each of you.

Image:snagged from Gayla

Post from: Baking Delights

How fast do the weeks go by at your house? They have flown by this summer. In fact I realized that I needed to start thinking about what I am doing for Christmas this year, LOL!

Chris left last Wednesday on schedule. Sad, but it was such a nice visit. I miss him but I am so proud of the man he has turned into. I was worried there for a few years.

It is almost the 4th of July. Picnics, parties, fireworks…you have to love it!What plans do you have?

I saw these cupcake pops at Carly’s Kitchen and I thought that they would be awesome decorated for 4th of July. What a great, non-melty centerpiece!

Mmm…it is cherry season and is there anything better than Cherry Clafoutis? Maybe, but I don’t knwo what it is…Check this especially nice one out from Mandy at Fresh From the Oven.

Tanna, at My Kitchen in Half Cups is a fellow Dallas area resident. One of the absolutely wonderful things about summer in Dallas is that bread dough rises in about 2 minutes. Check out the soft garlic knots. These would be perfect in a basket on a 4th of July picnic table surrounded by steaks, grilled shrimp or brisket.

If you are tired of deviled eggs as a picnic staple, consider tea eggs from Barbara at Winos and Foodies. Just different enough to get you some well deserved attention.

Remember, at least if you are my age, the themed parties in the 60’s? One of the big summer themes was a Hawaiian Lu…Lo… ..oh heck..I can’t spell this morning..a Hawaiian BBQ. Check out this Hawaiian braised pork from Persnickety Palate.

On the same not…mmmmm…Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches. Drool.Pish Posh Cooking is a new blog to me. I will be back. ..Sound like Arnold don’t I?

I have been unable to participate in the Royal Foodie Joust for several months now. Sigh…blogging and life is hard for me to keep up with. But I love seeing what everyone else is doing.. Valli at More than Burnt Toast has some Apricot Ginger Scones with Apricot Honey Butter. This is her entry into the joust and it looks amazing. Good Luck Valli!

James Tay…I mean Dharm has entered the Joust with an equally scrumptious looking Poulet d’Abricot

Maybe it will be a tie. Good luck Dharm!

Dana always is doing something cool at Dana McCauley’s Food Blog. She posted about cupcakes in a jar…what a great idea! That would be awesome for sending for lunch, you know? Or little 4th of July table decorations…or…. make a label on a tooth pick with guests names on them and stick the sign in the cupcake as place-cards? Yeah..I love things that inspire my own creativity.

Speaking of Cupcakes, the Cupcake Hero Deadline is Monday June 30. The theme seems to be Melons. YUMMY ! I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Get baking this weekend and send your entries to April at Abby Sweets.

Tomorrow is the Daring Bakers Reveal. Now, I don;t get online on Sundays but I have my post set to publish and I CAN tell you this was an amazing item. Be sure to check out all of the….well you will find out tomorrow…that all of the Brilliant Daring Bakers Baked.

Have a great weekend!

Post from: Baking Delights