Overnight Lemon Garlic Potato Salad

The end of April is fast approaching and we can’t conclude our white and brown month without talking about the ever popular starchy vegetable - the potato. Did you know that potatoes are the number one vegetable in the American diet? According to the USDA, the average American eats around 48 pounds of potatoes per year, and only half of that is fresh potatoes. To take it one step further, the majority of potatoes are eaten in the form of deep-fried french fries. These statistics are shocking and have greatly contributed to potatoes developing a bad reputation, especially for people controlling their blood glucose levels.

The dietitians have decided it is time to debunk some of the myths associated with potatoes and discuss how they can actually be included in most healthy diets, even a gluten-free diet! Potatoes are naturally gluten-free and provide important vitamins and minerals required for the body to function properly. Sometimes foods like potato salad can be off limits for people with Celiac Disease because of hidden gluten in products or cross contamination during the manufacturing or preparation process. This new take on potato salad is naturally gluten-free and is a great option for people with Celiac Disease. The swap of dijon mustard for mayo provides great low-calorie flavor as well, perfect for those who are watching their waistline!

We hope this recipe is a breath of fresh-air for our guests, especially with picnic season quickly approaching. You can take this salad to your next family barbecue, party, or simply have it for dinner this weekend! The great thing about this recipe is that you can do preparation the day before. Plus, if you cook potatoes, store them in the refrigerator for 24 hours, and then simply reheat them, the glycemic index is lowered from high to low or moderate. This is a great technique for people watching carbs or blood sugar levels. You can also maximize the nutrients you receive from garlic by chopping, dicing, mincing, or crushing garlic and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes prior to cooking with it. This allows you to retain ALL the nutrients available! In addition to the fact that it's delicious, these wonderful health benefits are extra reasons why you should give this recipe a try.

Potatoes might have developed a bad reputation in the nutrition world, but we hope we've changed your outlook a little bit. You can still enjoy potatoes in a well-balanced diet - they are a great way to Color Your Basket white and brown this month!

Overnight Lemon-Garlic Potato Salad

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds new potatoes

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes

2/3 cup olive oil

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup chopped lightly salted, roasted pecans

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

1) Cut into 1/4-inch-thick cubes. Cook potatoes in boiling water to cover 30 minutes or until tender; drain and cool 20 minutes. TIP: to lower glycemic load, let the cooked potatoes sit overnight in your refrigerator. 

2) Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil and next 6 ingredients; let stand 30 minutes. 

3) Toss the potatoes with olive oil mixture; sprinkle with pecans and basil.

Recipe from SouthernLiving.com