
My grandma was a tough food critic. She spent decades working as cook in a hospital kitchen (back when those places did most of their cooking from scratch and not prepared from trucked in food) during which time she honed her tastes. Add to that history her Italian food heritage and not much got by my Grandma Mary (Mary is a pretty name, obviously Biblical...simple, classic, but it's not a name you hear a lot of children being named anymore, do you?). Add a bit too much salt or not enough and she'd tell you. Your potatoes aren't cooked enough? That wouldn't get by Grandma.
She was known in our family for her spaghetti sauce and her potato salad. The potato salad isn't any sort of fancy recipe, it's just got a great flavor balanced between crunchy and creamy. It was not Easter without Grandma's potato salad, she used to make it several times a year, but it was always served at Easter. Here is a picture of Grandma Mary and her salad.
I once pressed grandma about her potato salad recipe, because it was just in her head. She knew how it went together and that was that. and put together a recipe. So I had to sort of tease it out of her. I usually don't mention brand names in recipes but Grandma was insistent on her brands. No other mustard would work besides French's, no mayo besides Hellman's and so on. So I have included some of the brands she insists on in the recipe. Corn oil, it had to be Mazola.
The family jokes about how many spoons she goes through when making the salad as she tastes it to make sure the formulation is just right. Grandma always said she used six spoons during the process because she'd taste it once, decide it needed more of this or less of that and she'd keep sampling it until she had it exactly as she liked.
Grandma didn't leave the peel on, but you could.
These are white onions, Grandma, though, always used green, so I'd stick with that.
So, here is the recipe Grandma Mary's legendary Six-Spoon Potato Salad!
🥔 "Six-Spoon" Potato Salad
- 2 pounds peeled potatoes
- 1 /4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 diced green onion
- 1 /4 cup celery, chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 2 tablespoons of Mazola corn oil
📋 Instructions
- Add potatoes to large pot then cover with 1 ½ inches of water.
- Season with salt -- 1 teaspoon for every quart of water.
- Bring water to a boil then reduce to a low simmer.
- Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes can easily be pierced with a fork.
- 'Once cooled, peel potatoes.
- Chop peeled potatoes into bite-size chunks then add to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl combine all of the other ingredients and add to the potatoes.
- Combine until potatoes are coated evenly.
- Chill overnight and enjoy!
🥗 More Amish Salad Recipes
🖨️ Full Print Recipe
Six Spoon Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds peeled potatoes
- 1 /4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 diced green onion
- 1 /4 cup celery, chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 2 tablespoons Mazola corn oil
Instructions
- Add potatoes to large pot then cover with 1 ½ inches of water.
- Season with salt -- 1 teaspoon for every quart of water.
- Bring water to a boil then reduce to a low simmer.
- Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes can easily be pierced with a fork. 'Once cooled, peel potatoes.
- Chop peeled potatoes into bite-size chunks then add to a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine all of the other ingredients and add to the potatoes.
- Combine until potatoes are coated evenly. Chill overnight and enjoy!
Nana
Sending you and your family condolences and heartfelt sympathy. Remember though that our tears and pain are for ourselves as we are the ones who are suffering the loss and the hurt. Your loved one is on a journey to her reward. As you pointed out she died in a simple and comforting way. Her last days were spent with those she loved and without prolonged illness and pain. Treasure your memories and the blessings and knowledge she shared with you.
Kevin
Thank you very much, Nana...
Judi Hamilton
Kevin, I am so sorry for the loss of your Grandma Mary. She sounds amazing and it is such a blessing that Aster got to spend time with her. I know life has suddenly changed for you but your grandma had a nice long life and was able to enjoy it to the end with her great grandbabies. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Judi Hamilton
Kevin
Thank you, Judi, for the kind words....it was definitely a peaceful end to her life.
Pat mccurry
my thoughs and prayers are with you and your family in the loss of your beloved grandmother.I would have loved to have known her.the pictures of her are good and I am going to make r potato salad
Kevin
Thank you so much, Pat...and enjoy that potato salad!
Monica
I know this is an older post, but I would have liked to meet your grandmother we share a similar thoughts on food. Plus this recipe,with the exception of the eggs( I can't take eggs),is my kind of recipe. So many for salads call for SOOOOO much mayonnaise nd this one doesn't. I think I will try it.????
Kevin
I do miss her, but glad her recipe lives on...hope you try it and like, it, Monica, thanks for stopping by!
Kathleen
I have a nighties just like Grandma has on. I would like her.
Kevin
She passed away just a few short years ago, I am glad I have some photos and videos of her