Potato salad

Potato salad can be the easiest thing to make - all you really need is cooked potato, mayonnaise and a little seasoning.

Here's a basic, but very tasty, potato salad recipe. Don't be afraid to experiment - other good things to add include finely chopped gherkins, diced apple, lime juice or a little curry powder.

Ingredients

• 600g new potatoes, boiled and cut into small chunks when cool
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, cooled, peeled and cut into small chunks
• 6 spring onions, green parts trimmed off, chopped finely
• 1 egg yolk
• 170ml vegetable oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 100ml light crème fraiche
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Put the egg yolk in a blender and blend at quite a moderate setting (such as you'd use to whip cream).
2. Add the oil into the yolk a drop at a time, building to a steady trickle as the mixture thickens and becomes lighter.
3. Continue to blend until the mixture looks like mayonnaise - very light in colour and thick enough to leave peaks if you dip a spoon into it.
4. Thin the mixture a little with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, stirring it well.
5. Crush the garlic, mix with the mustard, and stir this in.
6. Stir in the eggs, potatoes, chopped onions, and crème fraiche.
7. Chill for an hour before serving.