Harissa-potato salad

Harissa is the most well know Moroccan and North African spice mix, that is used on everything, soups, stews, grilled meats and here in salad. Bright red from the chiles and pungent from the mix of warming spices, this spice mix adds a delicious flavour to all dishes.

This super simple salad is no exception. The potatoes are coated in a rich and bright sauce and is irresistible. Mildly spicy and creamy this dish can be served as a side, especially with grilled meats or as a salad, either way, it will disappear fast.

As a chef, I have for years believed in creating the most authentic flavours, hence I have always made my own salad dressings, curry powders and spice blends. However, recently with the growth in home cooks, small artists have created amazing spice mixes and I have shifted to purchasing these products from them for their excellence. Doyen Foods is one of these vendors in India for Moroccan, Tunisian and North African spice blends and pastes. Their Harissa seasoning is amazing and is used here in this delicious dish.

This is one of the earlier cookbooks from a husband and wife team of culinary explorers. They have been pivotal in moulding Australian and world cuisine. I absolutely adore all of the cookbooks that I have been able to get my hands on (some are impossible to find), they are not just a collection of recipes, but a history of the cuisine and the people. This is a set of cookbooks I highly recommend for everyone, chefs and home cooks alike.

For more recipes from this amazing cookbook, click here.

Ingredients:

15-18 baby red potatoes, or any baby potatoes

1 tablespoon capers

4 scallions, finely sliced in circles

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 clove garlic, minced and crushed with the side of a knife

1 tablespoon olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon or lime

1 tablespoon harissa seasoning, I like the spice mix from Doyen Foods

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Salt, to taste

Lettuce leaves, to serve (optional)

Boil the potatoes till just cooked through. Cool and cut in halves. I like the potatoes to be just cooked and with a bite, not too mushy.

Mix the mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, harissa seasoning, and pepper. Mix well and taste. Adjust the salt and spice with the harissa seasoning as per your palate.

To serve, warm the potatoes slightly, in a microwave is fine, and add the spiced mayonnaise. Mix well. taste again and season with salt or spices. Serve by themselves or in a large bowl on a bed of lettuce leaves for a healthy crunch.