Potato Salad with Pancetta

Name: Potato Salad with Pancetta
Yield: 6
Cuisine: German, Austrian
Ingredients: 1.5kg kipfler potatoes, peeled; Salt flakes, to taste; Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling; 200g flat pancetta, sliced; 4 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped; ½ cup chopped cornichons; 1 bunch chives, chopped; ½ cup whole-egg mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons strained lemon juice

This potato salad with pancetta is my go-to dish for picnics, barbecues and any family gathering. It’s delicious with virtually everything, including veal schnitzel. Use a firm, waxy potato such as kipfler, pink fir or The Gourmet Potato’s delicious La Ratte, as they hold their shape better when tossed with the other ingredients. For me, hard boiled eggs are a must in potato salad; the yolks break up a little and add their creaminess to the dressing. I like the crunch and saltiness of pancetta, but have made excellent vegetarian potato salads without it. Especially alongside potato salad with pancetta, I like a soft chilled red and it’s hard to go past Murdoch Hill’s pinot noir.

Serves 6 as a side dish

Ingredients

1.5kg kipfler potatoes, peeled
Salt flakes, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
200g flat pancetta, sliced
4 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
½ cup chopped cornichons
1 bunch chives, chopped
½ cup whole egg mayonnaise
2 tablespoons strained lemon juice

Method

Cut potatoes into large bite-sized pieces.
Boil in well-salted water for about 20 minutes, until tender.
Tip into a strainer and set aside for a few minutes to steam dry.
Add a drizzle of oil to a frying pan over medium heat, add pancetta and cook, turning occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until crisp. Set aside to drain on paper towel.
Place egg, cornichon and chives in a large mixing bowl.
Crumble or dice the pancetta (depending on how crisp it is) and add to the bowl.
Combine mayonnaise and lemon juice.
Add mayonnaise mixture and potato to the bowl and use your hands to gently toss, combining thoroughly.
Cover and set aside until needed.
If not using within an hour or so, refrigerate then return potato salad with pancetta to room temperature before serving.