Some years ago when I was doing supply chain / manufacturing consulting work, I ended up as part of a large team performing a huge re-engineering engagement with a consumer products company that is a household name. They had many divisions, and I was given the job of managing part of the effort in their food service division. This group did everything from making ketchup packets for Burger King, to making the biscuits for McDonalds. But one of the groups in the division made condiments – ice cream toppings, mustard, etc. Man, there is nothing like walking into a factory and smelling the butterscotch ice cream topping being made!
What has that got to do with potato salad, you say? Well, this particular group also made mustard – and one of their varieties is a very unique mustard that will help you make an exceptional potato salad dressing. While I was in the factory I was watching it being manufactured, and the plant manager happened by. He highly recommended that I try putting a little in my potato salad. So I did, and based on the positive reactions from family and friends I have been using it ever since. In fact, when I can’t find it in the store I order it direct from the company – they will sell direct to consumers now that the division has been spun off and is no longer part of that huge food conglomerate. Luckily, I usually find it in the supermarket.
The mustard of course is Nance’s Sharp and Creamy. Made by Baldwin-Richardson foods in Macedon, NY (near Rochester). If you live in Florida, Publix sells it in most stores. When we lived in NY, we found it in Stop & Shop.
For every 2 pounds of potato salad you make, add 2 heaping teaspoons to your mayonnaise dressing. If your dressing calls for another type of mustard, omit it and substitute Nance’s in the same proportion. Now, here’s a bonus potato salad dressing secret – something I learned from a restaurant owner when I was about 12. They had the absolute best cole slaw I ever had, and I asked them what made it so good. They told me they used sour cream in place of some of the mayonnaise in the dressing. You can do the same thing with potato salad. Substitute sour cream for about 20% of the mayonnaise in your dressing. Both the Nance’s Sharp and Creamy and the sour cream will add a subtle kick to your dish, but not so much that anyone will be able to tell what makes it so good.
Your Daily Bread
Luke 13:18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
