Roasted Potato Salad with Peas and Chives

Mustard Vinaigrette
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard with seeds
Kosher salt  and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots

Potato Salad
2 1/2 pounds red skin potatoes, cleaned but not peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup fresh or frozen peas, cooked and patted dry
3 large hard boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped chives

1.For vinaigrette, in a small nonreactive bowl combine vinegar, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of pepper, and whisk well to combine. Whisk in olive oil. (Vinaigrette can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before using and whisk well.)

2.To prepare the salad, arrange a rack at center position and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Have ready a large baking sheet.

3.Quarter the potatoes, lengthwise, and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/3 cup olive oil, and toss well to combine. Spread potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Pour any remaining oil in bowl over them. Roast potatoes until golden and tender when pierced with a knife, 40 to 45 minutes. Watch carefully, and stir the potatoes every 10 minutes with a wooden spoon or a spatula to ensure that they don’t stick. Remove and cool to room temperature on baking sheet.

4.Transfer potatoes and chopped eggs to a serving bowl. Add the dressing and toss well to coat.  (The salad can be prepared 3 hours ahead to this point. Cover loosely with foil and leave at room temperature.)

5. When ready to serve, add the peas and half of the chives to the potato salad, and toss well to combine. Taste the salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the remaining chives over the salad. Serves 6.

Cooking tip:: Although a simple kitchen task, many people have trouble making hard boiled eggs.  Place eggs in a saucepan in a single layer and add enough water to cover by an inch. Bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook 12 minutes. Remove eggs and plunge them into a bowl of cold water  for 2 to 3 minutes or longer until the eggs are cool. Crack and remove shells.

Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2021