In 1992, we took our young children to Grand Cayman island in the Caribbean. As all tourists do there, one day we took a boat out to swim with stingrays at Stingray City, followed by picnic on a beach of a local island.
So, what do I remember from this adventure? The creamy potato and beet salad. As well as fresh conch.
I have no Caribbean cuisine resources, so I decided to just make up the recipe. And it’s good.
What I enjoyed on that tropical beach was a tangy, earthy, creamy mixture of potatoes and beets. And now I can have that again, without the beach.
Potato and Beet Salad
6 medium-sized white potatoes, peeled or not
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup good mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
2 cans whole beets, lightly rinsed and well drained
2 shallots, minced
Chives, for serving
Hard-boiled egg halves, optional
Cut the potatoes into fairly uniform 1/2 – 3/4” size cubes. Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Toss in the potato cubes and salt. Cook until just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool in the colander.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
Place the somewhat cooled potato cubes in the bowl with the mayo mixture and stir gently to combine. This allows the potatoes to absorb some of the creamy mixture.
Cube the beets into similar sized cubes as much as is possible, and toss into potato salad. I also let them sit on paper towels until I used them.
then add the shallots and fold in. Pinkness is okay, and will happen, but don’t overstir.
I actually used a ring to make the salad look less than it is – a creamy mess of a salad!
To serve, sprinkle the salad with chives.
Encircle the salad with egg halves, if desired.
I always think potato=based salads need more salt, so serve it as well.
Think of this salad with grilled shrimp, or chicken or sausage… just about anything.
Even beet haters, or people who think they dislike beets would love this salad. There’s nothing not to love!
I know it was almost 30 years ago when we took this vacation, but why do I look alien to myself?!! Who is that??!!!