Salads

i love this easy egg salad.

June 26, 2024 by Becky Spoon

This egg salad recipe is perfect for those who enjoy the flavors of fresh dill and lemon. It combines the creaminess of soft-boiled eggs and mayonnaise with a delightful tartness from the lemon. The dill adds a wonderful freshness to the dish. In addition, the inclusion of green onion and sweet relish provides both vibrant color and a burst of flavor. And for an extra kick, a touch of yellow mustard adds just the right amount of punch.

I enjoy having this as a breakfast option, paired with a slice of toasted and buttered whole grain bread. It becomes even more delightful with a squeeze of lemon and an extra sprinkle of dill on top. Alternatively, it also works well as a sandwich any time of the day.

the most delicious egg salad!

I start my eggs already in the water. Many say to bring the water to a boil, then add the eggs. If you choose that way, you’ll need to cook them for maybe 8 1/2 minutes. I tend to like starting mine in the water because I’m less likely to break them! Lol! Here’s a tutorial from the Food Lab/Serious Eats: https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/05/the-secrets-to-peeling-hard-boiled-eggs.html

In the Instant Pot, I find it convenient to boil eggs as they become easy to peel. Place the eggs and one cup of water in the pot’s liner. For a hard boil, set the pressure cooker for 10 minutes and perform a quick release. Alternatively, for a natural release, set it for 5 minutes, wait for 5 minutes, and then release if necessary. In my case, I set the timer for 8 minutes and performed a quick release to achieve a slightly softer texture for my egg salad. After removing the eggs from the pot, gently tap each end on the kitchen counter and roll them to remove the shell effortlessly. If the shell doesn’t come off easily, peel the eggs under running cold water. Finally, chop the eggs to your desired consistency, perhaps leaving them a bit chunky or use a bean masher like I do sometimes.

Add your other ingredients and serve immediately on the bread of your choice. I love it on toasted bread for breakfast and top with a little more dil or a soft sandwich bread. It’s perfect on sour dough!

Want more breakfast ideas?

Want more toast recipes? Try my Avocado with Poached Salmon Toast: Perfectly Delicious Avocado Toast with Poached Salmon

Here’s the recipe for this delicious egg salad! Enjoy!

Egg Salad

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 16

Course Breakfast, Main Course, Salad, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Servings

Ingredients

3-4 Eggs
2 Tsp Mayonaise (more if you need)
a squeeze of yellow mustard
1-2 tsp sweet relish
1 Tsp Fresh dill
1-2 thinly sliced green onion
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cover the eggs with cold water, bring to a boil and cook 6 1/2 minutes to 8 1/2 minutes depending on the doneness you like. These were a medium soft. Remove from the heat and submerge in cold water and peel. Chop the eggs to your desired size and add to a small bowl.
*see the notes in the post if you want to cook in your Instant Pot.
Add the chopped dill, the zest of the lemon, the lemon juice, the mayonnaise, and the salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and serve on buttered and toasted French bread or on your favorite toasted bread or in a grainy bread sandwich!! You will love this!

Notes

If you are using extra large eggs, you may want to add a little more mayonnaise and lemon.

Keyword breakfast, egg salad, egg salad toast, eggs

you will love this southern potato salad.

September 14, 2021 by Becky Spoon

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Just looking at this picture you can see all the deliciousness that is in the Southern Potato Salad. Just because that potato salad is a side dish doesn’t mean it can’t be the star of your meal or the best side dish ever. When I was growing up there was never a family reunion, picnic or BBQ that we didn’t have potato salad.

Mom made delicious potato salad. It was basic and I’ve just worked on this recipe forever, tweaking it along the way. For example, I add a little Old Bay. Unlike the jar of pimento that is traditional in Potato Salad, I made this recipe with the addition of red bell pepper and green bell pepper.

Are you familiar with Old Bay? It is so versatile and can be used in so many different Southern recipes. https://amzn.to/3AcFnql

Here’s some tips to making this potato salad:

As soon as you’re able to handle the potatoes, peel the potatoes. If you leave skin on, that’s ok.
Add the potatoes to a bowl, chop into medium size chunks and douse with a good amount of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar and salt and pepper. Toss a little and let them sit for about 30 minutes to absorb the vinegar. You don’t want enough for the vinegar to stand in the bowl, just enough that will be absorbed.

you will love this southern potato salad.

I served this with my pulled pork sandwich the other day. It’s the absolute best side dish for bbq!

here’s the recipe for the pulled pork sandwich ! love these! best texas pulled pork sandwich.

Southern Potato salad

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

7-8 whole Youkan Gold Potatoes
2 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
4 hard boiled eggs, diced
1/4-1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
1-2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2-3 tbsp dill relish (depends on your preference)
1 tsp sweet relish
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped or a pinch of dried dill
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp Old Bay (optional)
pinch of cayenne (optional)
pinch of smoked paprika
1/2 tsp yellow mustard
quality mayonnaise like Hellman's or Dukes
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add the potatoes whole, skin on to a pot of salted water. Cook until fork tender. When done, drain and place the potatoes in a large bowl that you can easily mix your ingredients. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, yet still warm, remove the skin. If you leave some of the skin on that's fine.
Dice your eggs and add to your potatoes that you have allowed to sit with the vinegar and a little salt and pepper. Add your onions, bell peppers, celery and your dill and sweet relish. Add your seasonings, your mustard, and start with a little mayonnaise at a time until you reach the creaminess you desire. Check for salt and pepper.
Place your potato salad in a serving dish and sprinkle with a little smoked paprika. Chill until ready to serve.

Keyword easy side dish, picnic, potato salad, potatoes, salad, side dish, southern, southern potato salad, youkon gold potatoes

love this mayonnaise free potato salad.

July 5, 2020 by Becky Spoon

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I love, love, love this mayonnaise free potato salad. Rather than the usual mayonnaise based potato salad, this has a delicious vinaigrette and it is so easy.

Not only is this dish light, refreshing, a little tangy, it’s the perfect dish for serving outdoors in the summer rather than a mayonnaise based. No worries leaving this our for a while or just inside on our counter for a while. I serve it at room temperature, never refrigerated until it’s just the leftovers, if there are any.

love this mayonnaise free potato salad.

I served this dish with my barbecue chicken and some Mexican corn. Honestly, I can’t think of a better potato dish than this for both of those. Here’s the link for the barbecue chicken: https://the2spoons.com/best-summer-barbecue-chicken-on-the-grill-with-my-1-go-to-sauce/

and, here’s the recipe for the Mexican street corn: https://the2spoons.com/delicious-grilled-mexican-street-corn/.

love this mayonnaise free potato salad.

I used red potatoes in this dish that I sliced on my mandolin. I love to use the mandolin, but be careful, because you can cut yourself easily if you don’t use the guard. The mandolin is good for so many vegetables, but I love it for potatoes that I want uniform. I put it on the largest setting and they were perfect for this dish. Then, you cook until just done, not falling apart. While they are still hot, you add salt and pepper and apple cider vinegar for added flavor, which makes a huge difference.

I do that even with a mayonnaise based potato salad because of the added flavor. Here’s the link for a mayonnaise based potato salad which is equally good. I just like the vinaigrette based for summer especially outside. https://the2spoons.com/delicious-2-step-potato-salad/

Here’s a link for a mandolin if you don’t have one. They are well worth the purchase: https://amzn.to/38sHFEu

love this mayonnaise free potato salad.

Here’s the recipe for this deliciousness!! Hope you try this dish soon and enjoy!

Mayonnaise Free Potato Salad

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Course Side Dish, Vegetable

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

mandolin

Ingredients

2 lbs red potatoes or Yukon gold
pinch of salt and pepper
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 cup diced green onion
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

For the Dressing

2 1/2 tbsp spicy brown mustard, grainy mustard or dijon
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
3 tbsp red wine vinegar (or white wine)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp good extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh chopped dill

Instructions

Wash potatoes, then slice into 1/4-inch slices. I used the largest setting on my mandolin. Add to a large saucepan and cover with water. Add a healthy dash of salt (for flavor) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat slightly (to medium/high) and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife and also easily slide off the knife. Keep a close eye on them because you don't want to overcook or they will break apart too easily.
Once the potatoes have finished cooking, drain and rinse with cool water. Then once mostly dry, add to a large serving bowl. Season with a dash of salt and black pepper and apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
Add mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar, and apple cider vinegar to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Then, while continuing to whisk, slowly stream in the olive oil to emulsify the oil and vinegar. Add the dill and whisk once more. Adjust seasonings.
Add the dressing to the potatoes along with the green onion and parsley (optional), and toss to combine. Taste the potato salad and adjust salt and pepper again. Allow to sit at room temperature until ready to serve.

Keyword mayonnaise free, mustard, new potatoes, potato salad, potatoes, viniagrette

the best spicy summer fruit salad.

July 4, 2020 by Becky Spoon

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I started eating this spicy summer fruit salad and could not stop eating it! So delicious. Tart, sweet, spicy, salty…are just a few words to describe. This fruit salad is loaded with mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, YES CUCUMBER, unsweetened coconut, oranges, lime juice and Tajin which is a chile-lime salt! Do you know what Tajin is? I didn’t until I visited friends in Mexico, had it and realized that we can get it in the US. This is the Tajin seasoning: https://amzn.to/2NVTERz.

the best spicy summer fruit salad

I actually saw this recipe on the Food Network the kitchen a couple of weeks ago. They were doing their COVID -19 episodes and this was Katie Lee made this salad for the show. I’m telling you, my mouth was watering the entire time. I had to make this salad and I’m so happy I did. It’s one of those dish’s that while I was eating it I was shoveling it in my mouth saying “oh, my gosh” the entire time!

Before I give you this new recipe, here’s another salad with fruit, strawberries and blueberries. https://the2spoons.com/colorful-spinach-and-berries-salad-with-dill/. I’ve made this salad for at least 10-15 years.

the best spicy summer fruit salad

Here’s the recipe for this mouth watering salad!

Spicy Fruit Salad

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Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups cubed mango
2 cups cubed papaya
2 cups pineapple
2 cups watermelon
1 English cucumber chunks
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
2 oranges, sliced into wheels
Juice of 1 lime
chile-lime salt, such as Tajin to taste

Instructions

Mix the mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, coconut flakes and oranges in a large bowl. Stir in the lime juice. Sprinkle with the chile-lime salt to your desired spiciness level.

Keyword coconut, fruit, fruit salad, mango, papaya, pineapple, spicy, spicy fruit salad, tajin, watermelon

delicious 2 step potato salad with smoked paprika.

June 23, 2020 by Becky Spoon

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I call this 2 step potato salad because I literally make it in two steps. Wow, what a difference it makes too! You know how you eat potato salad sometimes and there are lots of ingredients but when you bite into a big potato there is no flavor in the potatoes!

Because I want my potatoes to be well seasoned and flavorful, I make it in 2 steps. While my potatoes are still hot I add my seasonings, white or red wine vinegar and a little mayonnaise. I roughly mash the potatoes just to break them up so that all the flavors will be in every single bite. I then store in the refrigerator for a while to allow the flavors to meld. If you don’t have one of these bean mashers to make refried beans, which was perfect for breaking up my potatoes slightly, you have to have one. https://amzn.to/3hScK91.

Another reason I do this is because in this case I used red potatoes which are waxy and the seasonings will not get into the potatoes. I have found that if you allow your potatoes to cool then add your vinegar and mayonnaise, you will have a watery salad. This way it is creamy and so flavorful! So good.

delicious 2 step potato salad with smoked paprika.

You know how your Mom always put paprika on the top of your potato salad? I still do this, but I use a smoked paprika. So much difference and depth of flavor because of the smokiness. https://amzn.to/2Nn2ZBW.

delicious 2 step potato salad with smoked paprika.

I made this over the weekend with my 3 ingredient fried chicken. I think potato salad is the perfect side dish for fried chicken especially in the summer time. Pack up a picnic lunch of fried chicken, along with this perfect side, some bread, cheeses, maybe some wine or beer, fresh summer fruit and you will have the perfect meal!

Here’s the link for my fried chicken:

Here’s the recipe for this 2 step potato salad!

Southern Potato salad

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

7-8 whole Youkan Gold Potatoes
2 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
4 hard boiled eggs, diced
1/4-1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
1-2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2-3 tbsp dill relish (depends on your preference)
1 tsp sweet relish
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped or a pinch of dried dill
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp Old Bay (optional)
pinch of cayenne (optional)
pinch of smoked paprika
1/2 tsp yellow mustard
quality mayonnaise like Hellman's or Dukes
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add the potatoes whole, skin on to a pot of salted water. Cook until fork tender. When done, drain and place the potatoes in a large bowl that you can easily mix your ingredients. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, yet still warm, remove the skin. If you leave some of the skin on that's fine.
Dice your eggs and add to your potatoes that you have allowed to sit with the vinegar and a little salt and pepper. Add your onions, bell peppers, celery and your dill and sweet relish. Add your seasonings, your mustard, and start with a little mayonnaise at a time until you reach the creaminess you desire. Check for salt and pepper.
Place your potato salad in a serving dish and sprinkle with a little smoked paprika. Chill until ready to serve.

Keyword easy side dish, picnic, potato salad, potatoes, salad, side dish, southern, southern potato salad, youkon gold potatoes

easy mexican grilled chicken cobb salad.

March 31, 2020 by Becky Spoon

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Wow! This mexican grilled chicken cobb salad is crazy good! Just look at it! Lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken, avocado, lettuce, beans, olives, cheese, eggs??? I’m sure I’m missing something because there’s so many ingredients! I actually had grilled corn I was going to add and I forgot it! Do you all do that?

The chicken is coated with a mixture of olive oil and taco seasoning mix. I used Taco Bell taco seasoning that I buy at my grocery store. Here’s a link for the taco bell seasoning: https://amzn.to/2vXl9F4

easy mexican grilled chicken cobb salad.

For the dressing I used a Chipotle Ranch Dressing that I made from adding a chipotle pepper and the adobo sauce to ranch dressing that I had made from the Hidden Valley spice mix. You can buy the Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce in cans. Here’s the link for the brand I had this time, but I’ve bought different brands. https://amzn.to/39teWhO

Before I work on the recipe, here’s another great salad I have on the blog: https://the2spoons.com/the-best-beautiful-chicken-taco-salad/

This is a great salad using ground chicken and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

Here’s the recipe for this new chicken Cobb salad. I think you will love it!

Mexican Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

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Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Tortilla strips

4-6 corn tortillas
oil for frying
salt to sprinkle after cooking

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

1-1 1/2 cups ranch dressing bottled or homemade
1-2 chipotle peppers from canned chipotle in adobo sauce
1-2 tbsp adobo sauce

For the Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 packet Taco Bell taco seasoning mix or taco seasoning mix of your choice
3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

For the remaining salad ingredients

2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cooked black beans rinsed and drained or pinto beans rinsed and drained
1 cup fresh grilled corn on the cob kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 hard boiled eggs, sliced
1 can ripe olives
2 avocados, sliced and divided
1 cup Monterrey jack or cheddar cheese, grated
sliced limes for serving
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Tortilla strips

Cut the tortillas in half, then stack them on top each of other and cut into about 1/4 inch strips. Heat the oil in a skillet and add the tortilla strips, a few at a time and cook until golden brown. Repeat the process until all have been cooked. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.

For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Either use a bottled ranch dressing or use a homemade dressing. I used the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing with the packet of ranch dressing mix with milk and mayonnaise. To that, add one or two chopped chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce to the desired heat that you like.

For the Grilled Chicken

In a gallon zip lock add the Taco Bell seasoning mix or the taco seasoning mix of your choice and the olive oil. Add the chicken breast and coat them on all sides. After your grill is ready, cook the chicken breast, turning until done. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of about 160, then allowed to rest for at least 5 minutes that the temperature will rise to 165 degrees.

To assemble the salad

In a large bowl combine the lettuce, cheese, beans, corn, olives and tomatoes in a bowl. Toss well to combine. Divide the mix among 4 plates. Slice each chicken breast and top each of the salad plates. Top each with the divided deviled eggs and the divided avocado, Top with the dressing and serve with limes if you like.

Keyword chicken, chipotle ranch dressing, cobb salad, Grilled Chicken, mexican