Aunt Edna Mae’s Potato Salad

The All-American cookout meal including Aunt Edna Mae's Potato Salad

Aunt Edna Mae and Uncle Orval, who live in farm country here in the Midwest, graciously hosted me for a visit last year. Spending time with family is always a treat, and even better when there’s an amazing cook among the bunch. Aunt Edna fits the bill, hands down.
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A few things to know about country cooking – it is good, simple food, nothing fancy, portions are generous, and the kitchen never closes. Aunt Edna served up dessert after a hearty breakfast. And not one of us declined. (They were sour cream raisin bars, I mean come on, who can say no to that?!) 

It may look like every other potato salad, but wow, so delicious!

One of my favorite dishes from that weekend is Aunt Edna Mae’s potato salad. It strikes all the right notes for me – pickle relish and sour cream make the difference – and makes me wag my tail like a puppy dog, begging for more.
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Here’s the recipe in the chef’s own words:
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​For the potato salad I really don't have a recipe. I just cook the potatoes (about six medium ones) and cut them up and boiled about six eggs and cut them up and then also three or four stalks of celery.  
 
I used Miracle Whip salad dressing and thinned it with a couple tablespoons of milk or cream. I added about 3/4 cup of sour cream to the dressing and some sweet pickle relish (2-3 tablespoons). I also put about 2 tablespoons of prepared mustard in the dressing.  
 
I used about 1/2 of a sweet Vidalia onion which I didn't add until dinner that evening.  I had made the potato salad in the morning so I would have more time to visit while you were here.

My changes were minimal:

• Made a smaller batch, so a little less of everything all around
• Swapped mayonnaise for Miracle Whip

Everyone has their own favorite version of potato salad, no doubt about that, but if you’re willing to give mine a try, I think you might be very happy you did. Aunt Edna Mae and I sure hope you enjoy it! 

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One of our recent posts featured protest songs, in reflection of the tone and tension in the country today. Today’s song for cooking will do the same. Stevie Wonder won the 1974 Grammy for Best R&B Song with Living in the City. Hit the Play arrow below and be reminded why. 

Then for something completely different, let’s hear a swinging set from legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins to accompany your meal. 
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