FOR THE 4th !

Bacon and Shallot Potato Salad 

I am not a fan of your typical picnic yellow mustard potato salad, and really dislike any sort of salad with boiled eggs, so this one is right up my alley!

From the NYT 

The German-style potato salad doesn’t contain any mayonnaise, but is rich with bacon, whole-grain mustard and sweet fried shallots. It’s best served warm while the bacon still glistens with fat, but is also nice at room temperature. Make it as close to serving time as possible. Or if you do make it ahead, consider popping it into the microwave for a minute or so just before serving.

• 2 pounds small waxy white or yellow potatoes, roughly about the same size
• 6 ounces thick-cut bacon, diced
• ½ cup thinly sliced shallot
• 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
•  Black pepper, as needed
•  Chopped parsley, for garnish

Place whole unpeeled potatoes in a large pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are just tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending upon size. Drain and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks as soon as you can handle them. Transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, fry bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.

Stir shallots into the skillet with the bacon fat and fry for a minute, until just slightly crisped. Remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk in shallots and bacon drippings. Crumble in bacon. Immediately toss potatoes with dressing. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Garnish with parsley and more vinegar if you like and serve warm or at room temperature.