Summer Gatherings: The Secret Ingredient to Health and Happiness – Potato Salad Recipe

Summer is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and bask in the joy of shared moments. Whether it’s a barbecue in the backyard or a picnic in the park, summer gatherings offer more than just opportunities for fun; they can also be incredibly beneficial for your health. Research consistently shows that spending quality time with family and friends can have a positive impact on both mental and physical well-being. From reducing stress levels to boosting mood and even strengthening immune function, the benefits of social connections are numerous and profound.

And what better way to enhance these gatherings than with delicious food? Summer brings an abundance of fresh ingredients, ripe for the picking, and perfect for creating memorable meals. From juicy watermelon slices to sizzling grilled vegetables, there’s no shortage of culinary delights to indulge in. One summer staple that never fails to please the crowd is potato salad. Creamy, flavorful, and versatile, it’s a dish that embodies the essence of summer gatherings. And with a few simple tweaks, it can easily be transformed into a nutritious and satisfying addition to any menu.

So, if you’re looking for an easy and healthy side dish for all your summer gatherings, here’s the perfect one. This potato salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Low-fat cottage cheese is the secret to the dressing in this delicious low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium mixture of vegetables and herbs.

Garden Potato Salad

Prep time        Cook time       Yields               Serving Size

15 minutes      0 minutes        10 servings      1 C

Ingredients
3 lb potatoes (about 6 large), boiled in jackets, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes 1 C chopped celery ½ C sliced green onion 2 Tbsp chopped parsley 1 C low-fat (1 percent) cottage cheese ¾ C low-fat (1 percent) milk 3 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp cider vinegar ½ tsp celery seed ½ tsp dill weed ½ tsp dry mustard ½ tsp white pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, place potatoes, celery, green onion, and parsley.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, celery seed, dill weed, dry mustard, and white pepper until smooth. Chill for 1 hour.
3. Pour chilled cottage cheese mixture over vegetables; mix well.
4. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Source: Stay Young at Heart: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.