Almost Famous Roasted Potato Salad

I'm not a fan of creamy potato salads.  Boiled potatoes, raw onions and mayo?  Not for me!  But a couple of years ago at a BBQ at my parents house, my mom served roasted potato salad.  It looked good so I decided to give it a try and it was delish!  I've been making it since, for guests at dinner or on a lazy Sunday.  It's the only potato dish that receives comments like "Mama, this is soooooo good!" (from Big-A) and "Moooore tatoes pease!" (from Lil-J).  I've also been told by friends that they are the best potatoes that they have ever eaten...seriously!

Along with being delicious, it's super easy to make.  Try it out for a long weekend BBQ, or for any occasion this summer!

Roasted Potato Salad

2 lbs (6-8 medium sized yellow or white potatoes – not russet or baking potatoes!)

Salt & pepper

2 tbsp canola oil

1/3 cup Renee's Gourmet Greek Feta dressing

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Scrub and dry potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (leave the skin on).
3. Coat potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper.
4. Roast potatoes on a non-stick baking sheet (or in a cast iron skillet) for approx 30 minutes, turning over about ½ way through.
5. Once potatoes are roasted, remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
6. Add dressing to a large bowl.  Pour roasted potatoes into bowl and mix gently, coating all potatoes.  Add more dressing if needed.

Serve warm or cold.  Serves 6-8 people.

Potatoes roasted to perfection, ready to be dressed!

** You can make these ahead.  Roast the potatoes, store in a covered bowl.  Heat the potatoes in the oven or microwave and toss with the dressing right before serving.

*TIPS*

1. Change the dressing.  Other delicious dressings I’ve used in the past include Renee’s Gourmet Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, PC Vidalia Onion Dressing & PC Bacon & Roasted Onion Dressing.

2. Try something new.  Dressings that I plan on trying this summer include: PC Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing, PC Blue Menu Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing & PC Artichoke & Asiago Cheese Yogurt Dressing . 

3. Add other ingredients.  Roast the potatoes with slices of vidalia or red onion and bell peppers.  Add chopped bacon, blanched green beans or asparagus, or cooked peas before mixing with the dressing.  If you think it will taste good with the dressing that you're using, add it!

4. Don’t forget food safety!  Most creamy salad dressings contain dairy and/or other perishable ingredients.  If you’re serving the salad at home, serve immediately while it’s still warm.  Don’t keep any leftovers that have been sitting out for more than 2 hours.  If you’re taking the salad to a park or picnic, store on ice in a Ziplock bag or container and keep out of the hot sun while you're eating.  Nothing ruins summer fun more than food-borne illness.

Tips On How To Feed A Toddler - Tell A Story!

I can easily catch Big-A & Lil-J's attention by telling a story.  They love nursery rhymes, and I sometimes use my own childhood experiences to make up stories.  If I'm having a hard time getting either of them to eat a new food (especially veggies), I'll think of a story that relates to the food.  This can put a positive spin on any food, even a stinky brussel sprout!

TELL A STORY!

A green bean is about as exciting as a a piece of string.  Kids don't like boring things, and don't want to eat boring food.  But a modest green bean has a 'magical' quality that will pique any preschooler's interest.  If your child is balking at green beans, simply break the bean open lengthwise to reveal the magical seeds inside!

Tell the classic story of Jack And The Beanstalk and encourage your child to gobble up the seeds before the giant comes.  I bet you never thought green beans could be this fun!  I've had fun using this story with both my boys.  They would start out by eating only the seeds, and now love eating green beans!

When your child balks at a new food, use YOUR imagination and think of a story to tell, whether from a nursery rhyme, a movie or from your own food experiences.  Take the focus away from the 'yucky' vegetable and make this new food fun!

Healthy Alternatives...Drop The Soda, But Not The 'Pop'!

There's nothing more cringe-worthy than watching young children sucking back soda pop.  While at the racetrack last month, I was shocked to see children as young as Big-A (age 6) drinking pop from 500mL bottles late into the night (my issues with young children being kept up past 10pm at a RACETRACK is another story...). 

With summer just around the corner, there will be many more children hydrating with pop.  The sad thing is that many parents allow this, ignoring the concequences that their child will see later in life.  Childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are on the rise, and sugary drinks are the main culprit.

Big-A has had pop (in very small amounts) in the past, and loves it as any other kid does.  He also knows that it is full of sugar, has absolutely no nutritional value, and can make people sick (we use my father's Type 2 Diabetes to explain this further).  Water and milk are a first choice when the boys are thirsty and we allow a cup of juice each day.  But during special occasions like parties or movie night, it's nice to have something different.  Our sugar-free option pairs as well with a steak dinner as it does with a bowl of popcorn...SPARKLING WATER!

I've been drinking sparkling water as an alternative to soda pop for years, and Big-A quickly developed a liking to it as well.  He loves the way the bubbles tickle his nose, and it's a fun drink to have!  I usually buy unflavoured, sodium-free sparkling water, adding a slice of lime for a bit of flavour.  My first choice is PC Lightly Carbonated, Sodium Free Mineral Water.  I also like PC Carbonated Natural Spring Water, which contains only 20 mg sodium per 2-cup serving. 

We drink sparkling with dinner, and never have movie night without it!  Movie night doesn't have to be unhealthy.  Sparkling water paired with air popped popcorn makes a delicious, low calorie treat.

As much as Big-A loves sparkling water, I don't substitute regular drinking water with the bubbly version.  I give it to him as a treat once in a while.  His main drink is still the standard H2O out of the tap.  I go further into the importance of drinking plain water in my previous post H2O Woes.

It is not recommended that you give sparkling water to babies or toddlers, as the carbonation may upset their sensitive tummies.  Some brands also contain added sugar and sodium.  I don't give sparkling water to Lil-J, I'll wait a couple of years before introducing it.

Instead of offering soda pop to your children, try sparkling water.  It's low on sugar, and high on fun!

You Know You're A Mom When...

You know you're a mom when you realize you've tied your ponytail with a car shaped Silly Band...

Creative Corner - Silly Songs Car Game

Big-A & Lil-J on our last long trip to the cottage.

I've lived this scenario many, many times...

2 hours into the 4-hour drive to the cottage, the boys are bored of the cd's, bored of the DS, bored of the radio.  Daddy & I are half asleep from boredom.  Time for something fun, something different from the usual car activities!

We started a silly singing game when Big-A was a toddler, and he has just as much fun with it at 6-years old.  Lil-J loves it too, and joins in the fun. 

You simply sing a common children's song or nursery rhyme, but to a different style of music.  How silly is it to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" as a Rap song?  Or "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in a Heavy Metal voice (complete with head-banging)?  Or "You Are My Sunshine" with a Country twang?  It will have the entire family hysterically laughing, quickly forgetting about car ride boredom.

Try the Silly Songs Car Game with your kids at the dinner table tonight, or save this fun activity for your next road trip.  It will quickly become a regular family activity to help pass the time!