### Smashed Potato Salad: The Ideal Summer Delight
Tangy salad, crunchy potatoes, and smooth ranch – this smashed potato salad is the quintessential summer meal that merges enjoyable textures and tastes. It’s a revitalizing take on standard potato salad, making it an excellent selection for picnics, barbecues, or laid-back lunches.
#### Why This Salad Is Unique
For those who cherish the traditional Midwestern trio of a shredded salad, crispy fries, and decadent ranch dressing, this smashed potato salad delivers on all fronts. In contrast to standard picnic-style potato salads, this variation adopts a more lettuce-forward style, maintaining the crunchy texture of the potatoes while providing a delightful crunch with every mouthful.
The salad is not just zesty and striking but also hearty yet light, making it an enjoyable choice for summer dining. Adding tuna can enhance the dish for dinner, giving an extra protein boost, but the original blend of tangy salad, crispy potatoes, and smooth ranch truly shines.
#### Ingredients
**Crispy Smashed Potatoes**
– Small potatoes (Yukon Gold or red varieties are excellent)
**Salad**
– Romaine lettuce
– Pickles
– Red onions
**Dressing**
– Homemade ranch dressing (or pre-packaged)
#### Instructions
1. **Cook the Potatoes**: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until tender (15-25 minutes, based on size).
2. **Prepare the Veggies**: While the potatoes are boiling, dice the romaine, pickles, and onions.
3. **Make the Dressing**: Whisk together all ingredients for the ranch dressing while the potatoes are cooking.
4. **Smash the Potatoes**: Once the potatoes are done and cool enough to handle, use the back of a flat drinking glass to flatten each potato to about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
5. **Roast the Potatoes**: Place the smashed potatoes in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Spray with avocado oil, season, and air fry at 375°F for around 15 minutes until golden and crisp. (Alternatively, bake in the oven at 375°F for 30-45 minutes.)
6. **Serve**: Combine the romaine, pickles, and onions with the dressing. Fold in half of the crispy potatoes and set aside the remaining half to top the salad. Savor the crunchy, fresh, and creamy flavors together!
#### Notes
– The potatoes can also be baked for a crunchier texture.
– This salad is easily adaptable with extra ingredients such as cherry tomatoes or avocado.
### Conclusion
Smashed potato salad is a delightful summer dish that blends the finest crispy, creamy, and tangy flavors. Whether enjoyed as a side or a main course, it’s guaranteed to be a favorite at any gathering. Relish this refreshing salad that brings happiness with every bite!