Memorial Day is almost here and while I’m as guilty as anyone about looking at it as a 3-day weekend that is the official start of summer which often includes pool openings, barbecue and picnics; this year the real significance of the holiday is particularly poignant for me. My father served in the Army Air Corps during World War II (now the Air Force) and each Memorial Day I made sure to tweet a link to his military activity as included in the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. as a way to honor his service to our country; something he was very proud of. My dad passed away a few months ago shortly before his 92nd birthday so this seems a different kind of Memorial Day. It might seem silly but when I decided to make a potato salad to share today I wanted it to be something I know he would enjoy and this salad with both blue cheese and bacon incorporates two things I know he loved.
While serving up this potato salad in his honor, I am also reminded with his passing that the men and women who served our country during those dark days are fading fast and thought I would mention how you can do one thing to keep the memory of their service with us for eternity. The National WWII Memorial is operated by the National Park Service and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was opened in 2004 and is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. Visitors to the Memorial can search multiple databases for information on those who served and were buried in overseas military cemetaries, who have been memorialized on Tablets of the Missing and who have been listed as killed in action.
The fourth database is a Registry of Remembrances honoring US Citizens who helped to win the Second World War and this includes the listing of servicemen and women. To be included in this Registry, a family member or friend has to submit the information online to the WWII Registry of Remembrances; no one is automatically included. This is a very public way of saying ‘thank you’ to family members, friends, comrades or anyone else who has inspired someone to submit an enrollment in their honor.
I did this for my Dad several years ago and I know how touched he was; as mentioned he was very proud of his service and knowing it won’t be forgotten mattered to him greatly. I hope that if any of you have a family member or friend who has not been included that you will take the time to make it happen. Once included, the database can be accessed both online and at the memorial itself. Here is the listing for my Dad, John (Jack) Gregory Bathe; not just as an example but because I will continue to share this every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. We had a difficult relationship for many years but nothing can change how proud I am of his service to our country.
I really do believe this would be the perfect potato salad for him. Like many, I grew to love blue cheese as I matured so I remember the ‘ew’ factor I had when he would put some on a salad or over a steak he would grill for himself and my mom (kids got burgers, parents got steak!). The bacon part is easy; he made bacon and eggs for us every Saturday morning that I can remember as a kid; so bacon it is. If you’re not sure about blue cheese; you might try Gorgonzola. I fondly call it ‘blue cheese light’ because while it has a similar flavor, it is not as pungent and strong.
I’m hoping to have a small barbecue this holiday; happy to have some grass in my backyard, a few pots with flower and herbs and a grill ready to go. This salad, a great steak and a cocktail is all I need. I’m also wishing you and yours a safe and happy Memorial Day!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- For the marinade:
- 4 oz bacon drippings
- 2 oz cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- For the Potato Salad:
- 4 pounds small Red potatoes
- 8 oz bacon, cooked to a crisp and crumbled (Be sure to reserve some bacon drippings for the marinade above)
- 1/2 bunch green onion, chopped For the Dressing:
- 4-6 oz blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and Pepper for seasoning
- For Garnish:
- Chopped green onion, blue cheese and crumbled bacon (optional)
Preparation
- To Make the Marinade:
- Combine the bacon fat, vinegar and salt in a small food processor or shaker jar and combine well.
- Season with pepper to taste.
- To Make the Potato Salad:
- Clean (but do not peel) the potatoes and cut into 1" cubes. Immerse in salted water; bring water to a boil and boil for 7-10 minutes, testing potatoes to see if they are done. They should be firm but easily penetrated with a fork.
- Remove from heat, drain and place back into pot.
- Add the marinade and stir gently to cover all of the potatoes; refrigerate for at least one-half hour.
- Make the dressing by combining the blue cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard; mix with a whisk and season with salt and pepper.
- Add dressing, bacon and green onion to potatoes and mix gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of fours hours before serving.
- Garnish before serving with green onion, crumbled blue cheese and bacon bits.
Notes
Best if refrigerated overnight if possible. The more time the dressing has to meld flavors with the other ingredients the more subtle and fabulous it is!
2.4http://www.creative-culinary.com/bacon-and-blue-cheese-potato-salad/This recipe brought to you by Creative Culinary | A Food and Cocktail Blog | Website: www.creative-culinary.com
