Monday's with Mom...Potato Salad

Mom made the BEST potato salad!

But then again, I suppose everyone thinks their mom makes the best, haha!

It's just one of those everyday recipes that always tasted better when mom made it, you know? Like blueberry pie and fried chicken. I can never make them like she did, no matter how hard I try!

Mom made potato salad for every picnic. Our family went on lots of picnics, the lake was just a mile from town and had a great swim and picnic area, so we frequented it often.

Mom was very touchy about how she packed the salad. She never mixed the ingredients until she got out to the picnic. Everything was all on ice, chopped and ready to go. Then she would quickly throw it together right before we ate.

It was always so creamy, with just the right amounts of all the ingredients. She would taste it several times, adding a bit more salt, or maybe a splash more of milk to make it just the right consistency. 

She always used Miracle Whip, so did Brent's mom. I always use Hellman's real mayo in everything I make, but if I really want to make Mom's potato salad taste like hers, I buy a jar of Miracle Whip.

My friends and I were just having this conversation the other day...they all like Miracle Whip on sandwiches, but mayo in salads. We think it's because Miracle Whip has a slight tang to it. For years Brent would not touch anything with mayo, it had to be Miracle Whip. Now he likes both. Which ever you use, this is a great basic recipe for potato salad. Sometimes mom would add some chopped dill pickles,a sprinkle of dill, or even a squirt of sweet relish.

 It was always SO good!

Mom's Potato Salad 

6 good size medium potatoes

1 1/2 c. Miracle Whip or mayo

1 Tbsp. mustard

salt and pepper to taste

1 c. celery, chopped

1/2 c. onion, chopped

splash of milk

(chopped dill pickles, if desired)