The June issue features my "Smashed Potato Salad" recipe...its a great addition to any summertime picnic or Father's Day celebration!
AtCarmel June 2013

Father’s Day…Get His Motor Running….

By Lori Goldsby

Get your motor running,

                Head out to the Highway…

Looking for Adventure,

                In whatever comes our way.

Steppenwolf 1969 “Born to be Wild”

My husband and I are now “empty nesters” with a child who lives not only out-of-town but several states away, so Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are relatively quiet days.  While some couples balk at planning a celebration for someone who is “not MY parent”…I think it’s a sweet way to celebrate what a great job we did raising our kid.  He is a terrific father and he made me a better parent! So this year I’m planning a little road trip picnic to show him how much I appreciate the great job he continues to do.  If your little ones still live with you, well then by all means bring them along!!

Carmel Clay Parks has some beautiful parks right in our back yard.  You can pick one that is close to you or “shop around” for a new one on their website CarmelClayParks.com There you will see maps and a guide with services available.  This year I knew I wanted something close to the River or at least a pond feature and a grill.  I thought a grill would be fun because we haven’t cooked on charcoal for so long.  So my first stop was into White’s Ace Hardware (731 S. Rangeline Rd.) to pick up a small bag of briquettes (5lbs/$7.99) and a chimney charcoal starter ($16.99).  I don’t want to use charcoal lighter fluid—so I know I need to bring something that will entertain us while we wait for the coals to develop.  I may throw in a deck of cards but I think an old fashioned horseshoe game or croquet set will be fun.  I have no hand/eye coordination, so I never play tennis with him, but I might be able to handle a badminton game…and with just the two of us, we won’t need a net…or scorekeeper!

The picnic isn’t just about the food.  If you have a friend with an old restored car—get them to drive!  If not, plan a stop by Ooley & Blackburn (508 West Carmel Drive) to do a little “guy-style window shopping”.  They always have such a unique inventory and since they’re not open on Sundays, you don’t feel like you are wasting any of the salesmen’s time.   Either way, toss an old blanket in the trunk and dust off that old “retro” cooler to hold some drinks.  We lucked out and got to “test drive” for our picnic a ’58 Chrysler New Yorker, there were only 600 built and it’s one of only 16 known to exist! They are moving soon to 96th and Keystone and will soon have a new Mazerati dealership in addition to their vintage cars!  But onto the food…

Most picnics consist of a meat, a salad and a dessert and some cold, frosty beverages.  If you are waiting for the coals to get hot, you will probably get hungry waiting…so think about a brat, a burger or a boneless piece of chicken (bone-in takes longer to cook through) that will cook quickly and easily.  Don’t forget a lighter and some tongs!

My Smashed Potato Salad is a crowd favorite and goes with all types of proteins.  Add a nice tray of brownies that you refrigerate overnight (to help keep from melting!) and you are set!

Smashed Potato Salad

The secret to this potato salad is that the potatoes are COMPLETELY COOKED! The second secret is oil to thin out the mayo and a little lemon zest to provide “brightness” in the mayo. 

4 large potatoes               4 celery ribs, diced           1 small onion, minced                    4 hard-boiled eggs

1 cup mayo         ½-1 cup of a neutral oil (like canola)         ½ lemon, zested               salt and paprika

Wash and peel potatoes.  Place in a large pan and cover with COLD water.  Bring to a boil and keep at a high simmer until potatoes are cooked all the way through (Probably 35-40 minutes).  When you “stab” the potato with a steak knife, if it falls off as you lift it up, then it is done.  Drain thoroughly in colander and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Prep onions and celery and dice 3 of the eggs, leaving one egg to slice on top, if desired.  Salt the potatoes, smash half of them with a potato masher and chop the other half.  Toss in the diced celery and onion.

In a medium bowl, add ¼ cup at a time of oil to the mayo and whisk.  It will look like the mayo is separating—be brave!—this is for your man!  Keep whisking until shiny again and repeat…you want a thin consistency.  Add lemon zest and pour over your potato mixture.  Chill overnight.  Add egg slices and paprika, if desired.




Leave a Reply.