At a picnic or a summer party, I love a good potato salad as much as anyone (especially if it has bacon and chunks of egg in it…mmmmm) however when its hot out I never seem to go for the heavier mayo-laden items. Maybe its the “what if the mayo is going bad thing” or maybe its just that my body wants to eat less when its hot. No clue.
One day I was gazing at a couple of sweet potatoes in my root vegetable bin and thought hmmm, maybe I will make a sweet potato salad to go with dinner (burgers I think it was) so I did. My mind immediately went to one of my favorite vinaigrette’s – a honey lime vinaigrette that I use on a number of things. I really enjoyed the simplicity of this easy side dish and the way it highlighted the sweet potato.
This Sweet Potato Salad is a simple alternative to the traditional potato salad, plus it can stand up to the heat and as an added perk its less calorie laden. I have never seen it offered at any gathering I have been to. Why not give it a whirl!
What else would you do with this salad to make it your own?
You could jazz this up more if you like by adding some small pecan pieces, additional herbs and maybe dried cranberries if you want. If I added pecans, I would make these sweet and spicy pecans then give them a chop and add them in. You can roast the potato chunks or boil them (I think roasting brings out more flavor).
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 TBS olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
4-5 scallions, sliced thin
Toss sweet potato chunks with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer in a roasting dish and roast at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Allow them to cool down to “warm”. Sprinkle scallions over-top and toss with Homey Lime Vinaigrette Serve warm or at room temperature.
Honey Lime Vinaigrette
1 TBS Balsamic vinegar
1/2 TBS honey
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp minced garlic
A couple of shakes of Cayenne/red pepper (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a mason jar, seal, shake vigorously and pour over your salad. You may have to stir this a bit as well to get the honey to fully emulsify.
Enjoy!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
May 14, 2014 at 3:09 pmOh i love sweet potatoes, all day everyday! What a great salad idea!
Meredith says
May 14, 2014 at 3:21 pmLove the vin! this just looks fabulous to have with grilled chicken.
Shulie Foodwanderings says
May 14, 2014 at 3:24 pmI like the sweet potato twist to a summer potato salad & who doesn't like egg on top of everything?! Great snapshot too.
sb15admin says
May 15, 2014 at 2:06 pmThank you and me too!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
May 14, 2014 at 3:58 pmWe are huge sweet potato fans in my house – great Memorial Day idea!
[email protected] says
May 14, 2014 at 4:47 pmI am a sweet potato lover and that dressing sounds divine!
Back for Seconds says
May 14, 2014 at 8:07 pmOhhh This looks amazing!! I wish I was eating it right now 🙂
Jenn says
May 14, 2014 at 9:34 pmI like this sweet with a kick combo you have going with all the ingredients, Colleen.
sb15admin says
May 15, 2014 at 2:07 pmThanks Jenn!
[email protected] says
May 14, 2014 at 10:53 pmThis is a really nice change from the traditional mayo-based potato salad! Love the ingredients in that dressing.
sb15admin says
May 15, 2014 at 2:08 pmThank you, I put that dressing on everything from rice salads to green salads – love it!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
May 15, 2014 at 1:01 amI love this spin on potato salad – sounds fantastic!
Ginny McMeans says
May 15, 2014 at 2:13 amThis salad lookand sounds so good. I am always looking for new salads!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
May 15, 2014 at 11:53 amI love sweet potatoes and roast them all the time. Can't wait to try this recipe (I don't think I have ever had sweet potato salad!) yum!!
Angela Sanchez-Robles says
May 15, 2014 at 12:37 pmOh, yum! As you mentioned adding pecans to this salad I thought, "Ooh – sweet pecans!" And you mentioned it in the very next sentence! I like your style, lady…
sb15admin says
May 15, 2014 at 2:08 pmLol, thanks Angela!
Melissa Bailey says
May 15, 2014 at 1:35 pmYou can never go wrong with sweet potatoes!
Jen says
May 16, 2014 at 2:03 amAnd sweet potatoes are so much better for you than regular potatoes as well!