1KG OF LOVELY SPUDS - 21 October 2012

I have spent all day digging a new garden and painting my cold frame (which had a nasty accident earlier, but I’ll talk about that some other time). 

So it was a nice treat to dig up a whole kilogram of Desiree Potatoes that were ready in the garden.  Our potatoes have been really early this year and I think it is because our raised beds are so high, the soil warms up a lot more and therefore, things start growing a lot faster than other types of gardens.  I think getting the right combination of soil conditions and warmth are vital in gaining the right results in the garden. 

The growth on our herbs at the moment has been pretty amazing too – although they don’t have the best soil, they seem to thrive.  I mulch them at about this time of the year using leaf mould from our elm trees and I use a liquid feed on the herbs once a fortnight or once a month…but other than that, they’re pretty easy to grow.  Excellent drainage helps too I guess.

I made this delicious potato salad which is actually a recipe from a friend of mine using the lovely potatoes and herbs from our garden.  (The herbs are my addition to her lovely recipe!)  Later in the year, I make this using everything from the garden.  The capsicum and peas really make this salad!

 

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KATE'S POTATO SALAD

• 1kg of potatoes, washed and diced with skins on
• 1 cup of frozen or fresh peas
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 red capsicum, chopped thinly
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 2 tbsp mint, chopped finely
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise

1. Boil potatoes until tender in lightly salted water.
2. If using frozen peas, place them in a colander and drain potatoes over frozen peas.  Leave potatoes to cool/peas to defrost for approximately 15 - 20 minutes.  (If using fresh peas, just put peas into bowl and leave potatoes to cool separately for approximately 30 - 40 minutes).
3. Place all ingredients in a large bowl and toss together.