Sizzling Summer Sides: Potato Salad and Green Beans

There is nothing like serving a awesome tasting potato salad with some Wisconsin brats! Today I prepared my Moms' potato salad and have it sitting in the fridge to take up to my Aunt's house.  This will surely be the hit at your next outing! And yes you are free to use whatever mayo you wish. I prefer Miracle Whip.

Mom's Potato Salad

3 lbs. potatoes
6 eggs hard boiled and chopped
3 stalks celery cut in thirds and diced
1/2 onion diced
1/2 cup Miracle whip
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Here is where the easiness begins. Boil the potatoes with the skins intact in a large pot for about 25-30 minutes. You want the potatoes to be fork tender but not mushy. They should be able to keep most of their shape when diced. Pour out the hot water once they have boiled and cover them with cold water. You don't want to play the hot potato game right?

While the potatoes are boiling you can also boil the eggs. They are placed in enough water to cover them and then brought to a boil. Then set a timer for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat once the timer goes off. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for about 10 minutes and then cover with cool water.

Peel the potatoes and dice them. To a large bowl add the celery, diced potatoes, onion, and eggs. Mix in the Miracle Whip. Season with salt and pepper and check periodically for seasoning. You may have to add more mayo as they sit. Serve the next day (if it lasts) or the same day.

Delicious Green Beans

One of my favorite veggies during the summer is fresh green beans. They are so easy to make. Firstly set water in a medium pot on the stove and get to a rolling boil. Season the water with a pinch of salt. Grab a hand full of green beans and try to get the ends all together on one side. Using a large chef's knife, cut the ends off of one side of the beans. Do the same for the other side. You may have a few that are too short and you will have to cut those separately.

 I used 2 lbs of beans. Blanche the beans in the boiling water for 5 minutes. The beans should be pliable but not mushy. Remove from heat and drain. Salt and add a few pats of butter. You can't get more simple and delicious than that!