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Food and Flood for the Fourth


We decided not to join the 100,000+ throng on the Burlington waterfront on July 3rd, which is when the city of Burlington celebrates.  Their fireworks are quite amazing, but we find that we have less tolerance for the crowds and the exit traffic is a nightmare.
We celebrated in a quiet way on Wednesday.  We barbecued some chicken and I made a sweet potato salad. Watermelon for dessert. How 4th of July is that? Then we sat on the deck and watched a fireworks show of lightning—the cloud to cloud type that races all over the sky, complete with rolling thunder.
Here on our hill, we had sprinkles.  It was a good thing that Burlington had its fireworks the night before because that area was getting the brunt of a storm called a bow echo.
Sweet Potato Salad
  • one large sweet potato, cut in bite size chunks
  • a stalk of celery, chopped
  • half of a red bell pepper, chopped
  • chives or a scallion, sliced
  • parsley
Steam the sweet potato just until fork tender (6 to 8 minutes, don’t over cook).  When cooled, toss with the remaining salad ingredients and the following dressing:
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp. sugar, pinch of salt, a good grind of pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
Whisk first five ingredients in a small bowl.  Slowly drizzle in the oil and continue to whisk until well blended.
This recipe was inspired by one of the Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks—still among my favorites.  It easily serves two, but if one of you won’t touch sweet potatoes, give him a tossed salad and eat it all yourself over a couple of meals.  The dressing works for regular potato salad too.

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  1. TaborJuly 6, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    We also gave the fireworks a pass. First we were going to drive to a nearby city for the parade and fireworks, then we thought of taking the boat out for our small town celebration...but finally hubby admitted he didn't want to fight heat and crowds and we watched the fireflies instead.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sally WesselyJuly 6, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    Thanks for the recipe. I will try it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MuffieJuly 6, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Sounds like a yummy salad; unfortunately, my spoiled clan will only eat "my" potato salad -- a hand-me-down from my own mother! We had wicked storms here last weekend
    Peace,
    Muff

    ReplyDelete
  4. TomJuly 6, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    I love regular potato salad. That sweet potato salad sounds like it's worth a try. Thanks for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LindaJuly 6, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Now I need you to explain yourself here. About this sweet potato, you're not talking about what's also called a yam are you?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Muffy's MarksJuly 6, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    I'd be the one not eating the sweet potato salad, so not making it here. Glad you enjoyed it though!! We had a quiet fourth also. After the week before I needed it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Arkansas PattiJuly 6, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    I love sweet potatoes and actually grow them. Can't wait to try this. Thanks.
    Sounds like you had the perfect
    4th.

    ReplyDelete
  8. OlgaJuly 6, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    The salad is even better after it has sat in the frig for a day, BTW.
    Linda...I think that a yam is technically different than a sweet potato, but they are similar and sometimes used interchangably. In ay case, an acquired taste I am told.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Grandma KcJuly 6, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    I love sweet potatoes! And there is a big difference in taste, texture and color between a real sweet potato and a yam. I prefer the sweet potato and I will definitely try your recipe! thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Linda ReederJuly 6, 2012 at 10:31 PM

    As you know from my blog, we had fireworks, but not huge crowds. My potato salad was made with Yukon Gold potatoes and we just finished it tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BarbJuly 7, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Yum - I love sweet potatoes! This sounds delicious.

    ReplyDelete

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