Hello, all! I am so excited about today’s post because 1) The recipe is AMAZING, and 2) I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY!!! That’s right, one lucky reader is going to get a copy of one of my most favorite and valuable cooking references – Herbs and Spices: A Cook’s Reference by Jill Norman. This book is a treasure trove of information not only about (you guessed it) herbs and spices, but on really how to season food properly. I’m of the opinion that fresh herbs and spices are some of the most underutilized natural sources of flavor for home cooks, and especially vegan cooks. Since we don’t rely on things like butter or cheese for flavor (and who needs ’em anyway!) we can easily fill in the gaps using spices and herbs – and end up with a fresher, more flavorful dish. So if you’ve ever wondered what za’atar is, or what herbs go really well with rosemary; or even just wanted to know more about basil – this book is for you. See more details for entering at the bottom of this post!
Now onto this potato salad. This isn’t your traditional, heavy, mayo-ridden potato salad. This salad is really the epitome of using herbs and spices successfully in vegan cooking (if I do say so myself), so much so that you’ll wonder why you ever went for traditional potato salad. Imagine crispy yet tender fingerling potatoes, baked with heady rosemary and piquant black pepper, tossed with a mouthwatering spinach salad coated in a mustardy apple cider vinaigrette. YUM. And not only will this salad wow your taste buds, it’s completely healthy made with whole food, plant-based ingredients. Now THIS is a potato salad I can stand behind.
Healthy Vegan Potato Salad
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1 1/2 Pounds Fingerling or New Potatoes cut lengthwise
- A Generous Glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2-3 Tbs
- 1 1/2 Tbs Fresh Rosemary Finely Chopped
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
Salad
- 2 Big Handfuls Spinach 2-3 Cups
- 1/3 Cup Roasted and Salted Sunflower Seeds
Vinaigrette
- 2-3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- Juice from 1/2 Lemon to taste
- Pinch of Salt + Pepper to taste
Instructions
Potatoes
- Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prep the potatoes by washing and drying them, then cutting them length wise.
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, and salt and pepper with potatoes. Mix well until potatoes are evenly covered.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, space out potatoes evenly. I put all of mine on the baking sheet flat side down, but you can do whatever you like.
- Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until tender but slightly crispy on the outside.
- Let cool while you prepare the salad.
Salad and Vinaigrette
- To make vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together with a whisk or a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired (i.e. add more pepper or lemon).
- To make the salad, take a little bit of the vinaigrette and toss with the spinach and sunflower seeds. Keep adding vinaigrette until you've reached your desired amount. I used all of my vinaigrette, but you may like a more subtle dressing.
Putting it All Together
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes with spinach salad and mix well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Giveaway!
// UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Tracy M. for winning a copy of Herbs & Spices: The Cook’s Reference!! I will email you for your shipping address :)
66 Comments
Tamara M.
April 26, 2016 at 9:14 amI absolutely LOVE mint. It can bright up a salad, a smoothie or a dessert right away. I also loveeee zaatar, I put it on everything!
That salad looks so good, I might whip it up for lunch after work today !
Thank you for the amazing giveaway ! xx
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 9:53 amI love mint too!! It’s such an underrated herb! And za’atar is the best ;)
Karlie
April 26, 2016 at 9:42 amMy favorite’s are basil and rosemary.. depending on the recipe/time of year. Thanks!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 9:51 amGreat choices!! :D
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table
April 26, 2016 at 10:16 amThis potato salad is EXACTLY as what I’d like to eat. And my favourite herb is definitely Italian basil!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 10:25 amItalian basil is so great, especially in the summer with corn!! :D
Katrina
April 26, 2016 at 10:51 amThese potatoes sound SO good!! I can never get enough of potatoes at home like this!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 11:42 amThanks Katrina!! :D
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
April 26, 2016 at 11:14 amCan I say every? Hahaha! My spice cabinet is my pride and joy! But my top 3 are always Cinnamon, Smoked Paprika, and Turmeric!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 11:44 am“Every” is definitely an option ;) And smoked paprika is at the top of my list too! :D
Frances
April 26, 2016 at 11:26 amMy most favourite of many herbs is tarragon, fresh from the garden. Spices are more difficult. I think maybe paprika, although I also use ginger a lot to add heat to things because I can’t eat chilli
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 11:44 amTarragon is such a beautiful herb! And I think paprika is a great way to add a little heat to things, but not too much :)
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
April 26, 2016 at 11:58 amMy tummy is rumbling, Sarah! What a scrumptious potato salad with those buttery fingerling potatoes, dressing and herbs! I am a potato salad hound, especially during Summer, so this one is going on my must make list! I had no idea Jill’s book.. what a terrific giveaway! My Vegetarian Flavor Bible is always opened, but I’ve been curious about spices and herbs as this isn’t throughly covered in the flavor bible. Thank you for this recipe and opportunity! Delicious!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 12:35 pmI love potato salad in the summer too!! :D And thanks girl!! <3
Heather
April 26, 2016 at 2:32 pmRight now, I’m all about the mint — partly because it’s overtaking the garden, and partly because it’s a vibrant, light, nutritious addition to spring dishes! Thanks for sharing this!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 2:44 pmI LOVE mint!! It works so well in savory and sweet applications!! :D
paige c
April 26, 2016 at 2:58 pmI love basil and mint!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 3:13 pmAwesome choices!! :D
Cara | Street Smart Nutrition
April 26, 2016 at 5:25 pmYUM! That mustard flavor sounds amazing and the food photography on this is gorgeous! Will have to make this for our next pot lock, no doubt it would be a hit!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 6:47 pmThank you so much Cara!! :D
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
April 26, 2016 at 6:30 pmMy goodness Sarah, I have no idea how you can make potatoes look so sexy! Potato salad is one of my absolute favorite dishes, this is such a beautiful version. I’m terrible with knowing my savory herbs and spices, this book sounds like exactly what I need!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 6:49 pmHaha thank you Natalie!!
Danelle
April 26, 2016 at 7:00 pmMy Favourite is cinnamon!
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 7:32 pmGreat choice! Cinnamon is so good!! :D
Eri
April 26, 2016 at 8:04 pmI would love to make this recipe with the Rosemary from my garden. Thank you for sharing the recipe:)
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 8:06 pmYou’re welcome!! And thanks for stopping by, Eri!! :D
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 8:04 pmI love fenugreek! It smells just like maple syrup~
Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 8:06 pmI know, it’s such a delicious scent!! :D
danielle // rooting the sun
April 26, 2016 at 10:58 pmsarah, herby potatoes are pure comfort for me! absolutely beautiful book you’re sharing – i’m completely invested in having a serious herb garden this year, and i’m very excited to explore favorites, old and new. – – on a side note, i checked out your pretty face on NOM and you’re great. xo
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:00 amAwww thank you Danielle! I’m working on my herb garden this year too and loving every second of it :)
Jacky
April 26, 2016 at 11:49 pmSmoked paprika, za’atar, hawaj spice, and berbere spice!
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:01 amOooh very exotic choices, I love it!! I’ve actually never heard of hawaj, I’m going to go look it up now!! :)
Evi @ greenevi
April 27, 2016 at 1:27 amWhat a wonderful salad! So summery and beautiful! I have to make it next time when we have a barbecue. Pinned :)
I really can’t tell you what’s my favourite spice, I simply love way too many! However the last 2 weeks I literally put dill on everything :D
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:02 amThanks Evi!! And dill is such a great herb for spring dishes!! :D
Heather
April 27, 2016 at 9:17 amThis potato salad looks so good!! I can’t stand the regular stuff covered in mayo. This one looks light, refreshing and delicious and I m glad to hear about you herb book. I definitely underutilize herbs and I and am anxious to learn more! I’m planting a little herb garden this summer and hope to learn more ways to incorporate them. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:55 amThank you, Heather!! I’m glad you like the lighter, mayo-free approach too :)
Susan
April 27, 2016 at 9:38 amWell, this is such a hard question! I love them all….considering I lovingly run a beautiful Herb shop in Winnsboro, Texas!
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:53 amWow that’s amazing!! I love garden and herb shops!! What’s the name of your business?
Susan
April 27, 2016 at 11:05 amStarDragonfly Herb Company. The shop has hundreds of teas (black, herbal, medicinal, etc.), hundreds of herbs and spices for cooking and medicinal use. We teach classes and have events and support farmers market. I do not do a lot on the website, would rather garden.
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 11:14 amThat’s awesome!! If I’m ever in Texas, I will be sure to check out your shop!! :)
Susan
April 27, 2016 at 1:27 pmWould love to have you visit!
jacquie
April 27, 2016 at 2:39 pmhard question in deed as I have a couple – cardamom, rosemary, thyme to name a few
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 5:57 pmAwesome choices! :D
Keith @ How's it Lookin?
April 27, 2016 at 3:26 pmI gotta try this. Rosemary potatoes are my favorite, thanks for the idea
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 5:58 pmYou’re welcome!! I love rosemary potatoes too! :D
Roseanne
April 27, 2016 at 4:12 pmMy favorite is definitely smoked paprika! :) Mild enough to add to many things, but still remains flavorful :D
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 5:58 pmSmoked paprika is right up there with my top favorites too! I love how it adds a hint of smokey flavor and a bit of spice!! :D
Dana O
April 27, 2016 at 4:43 pmCinnamon! I think it goes well with everything.
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 5:59 pmGreat choice!! I love cinnamon in anything baked – cookies, breads, you name it ;)
Marla
April 27, 2016 at 5:12 pmI put Turmeric in everything!!
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 5:59 pmAwesome choice!! And so good for you too! :D
Heather S
April 27, 2016 at 5:58 pmCilantro is my FAV <3
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 6:02 pmI love cilantro too!! It just makes everything taste fresh! :D
Alexandra
April 29, 2016 at 4:48 pmYum, this is so pretty and springlike! Aren’t fingerling potatoes just the greatest?
Sarah
April 30, 2016 at 8:58 amThey are!! So easy to cook and so delicious!! :D
Jessie Snyder
April 29, 2016 at 5:31 pmThis is so vibrant and beautiful Sarah! I hope you’re having a gorgeous week :)
Sarah
April 30, 2016 at 8:57 amAww thanks Jessie! <3 Hope you're having a lovely week as well :)
Samantha
April 29, 2016 at 9:02 pmI love Zaatar in my cooking.
Sarah
April 30, 2016 at 8:57 amI LOVE za’atar! Great choice!! :D
Molly
April 30, 2016 at 8:17 pmSo many favorites! Cilantro, turmeric, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, rosemary, Himalayan pink salt!
Sarah
May 1, 2016 at 10:40 amAll amazing choices!! :D
Amy | The Whole Food Rainbow
April 30, 2016 at 11:17 pmLooks gorgeous! Herbs are always a cook#s best friend!
Sarah
May 1, 2016 at 10:40 amThey definitely are!! :D
Pineapple Sunshine Smoothie | Well and Full
May 1, 2016 at 10:30 am[…] // Did you guys enter to win Herbs and Spices: The Cook’s Reference yet? The giveaway is open until next […]
Liv Lively
May 25, 2016 at 8:40 amAbsolutely love this! Im seriously obsessed with your blog lately. I hope it’s ok that i mentioned this blog in an article about living mindfully on my blog? :) http://www.livlively.co.uk/2016/05/25/7-ways-mindfulness-can-change-your-life/
If not, I’ll take it down immediately!
Thanks for the lovely post, I cant wait to try it!
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