Cooksister | Food, Travel, Photography

Food, photos & faraway places

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About me
    • Contact me
    • Work with me
    • Legal
      • Copyright notice & Disclaimer
      • Disclosure
      • Cookies and Privacy Policy
    • Press and media
    • Cooksister FAQs
  • RECIPES
    • Recipe Index – by course
    • Baking (savoury)
    • Braai/Barbecue
    • Breakfast & brunch
    • Christmas
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Eggs
    • Fish
    • Gluten-free
    • Leftovers
    • Pasta & rice
    • Poultry
    • Pulses
    • Salads
    • Soup
    • South African
    • Starters & light meals
    • Vegan
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
  • RESTAURANTS
    • British Isles restaurants
    • Dubai restaurants
    • France restaurants
    • London restaurants
    • Montenegro restaurants
    • New York restaurants
    • Pop-ups and supperclubs
    • Serbia restaurants
    • Singapore restaurants
    • South Africa restaurants
    • Sweden restaurants
    • Switzerland restaurants
    • USA restaurants
  • TRAVEL
    • All my travel posts
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Canada
      • Dubai
      • Cruise ships
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Grenada
      • Hong Kong
      • Hotel reviews
      • Italy
      • Israel
      • Jersey
      • Mexico
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Singapore
      • Ski & snow
      • South Africa
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • UK
      • USA
      • Wales
  • PORTFOLIO
    • Freelance writing portfolio
    • Speaking and teaching
    • Photography portfolio
    • Buy my photos
You are here: Home / Recipes / Salads / Potato, salmon and cucumber salad

Potato, salmon and cucumber salad

by Jeanne Horak on July 29, 2019 6 Comments in Fish, Gluten-free, Main course - seafood, Salads

Jersey-royals-salmon-salad2 © Jeanne Horak 2019
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

When I was growing up, my father was never one for sports.  Sure, he was a pretty sporty guy when he was younger, playing tennis and swimming competitively at university. But by the time my brother and I were born, his main sporting activities were a few laps in the pool, a leisurely game of golf, and watching the F1 Grand Prix on TV every weekend. Teaching us how to play cricket or football or rough and tumble with the kids on the lawn was simply not something he did. But one day a mysterious large box was delivered to our door and once we had torn away the cardboard we were delighted to find that he had bought us a quarter size snooker table and he proceeded to teach us everything he knew about playing snooker (a skill that I used to surprise many boys at university!).

One thing that snooker teaches you quickly is the law of unintended consequences: you are aiming to sink the green in the middle pocket but your white ball ricochets off the green and ends up sinking the black and losing you the game.  But every now and then you aim a long shot at a red down the far end of the table, misjudge the angle and end up clipping a red near the corner pocket and sinking it instead – making you look like some sort of nonchalant angle guru when all the time it was sheer luck.  The word for this is a fluke – and it will come as no surprise that the word was actually coined as a billiards term in the mid 1800s, to cover the situation where a shot had an unexpected positive result, like sinking two balls at the same time. The word soon started being used in a more general context to mean an unintended but beneficial outcome.

 

Jersey-Royals-Raw © Jeanne Horak 2019

 

Fast forward a few years to about 1880 when farmer Hugh de la Haye from Jersey in the Channel Islands found a particularly large potato with 15 or more eyes and decided to cut it up and plant each piece on one of his sloping fields above Bellozanne valley in the centre of the island. One of the shoots grew into a plant that yielded unusual kidney-shaped potatoes with very thin, papery skin. Recognising immediately that he had something special on his hands, he started growing and marketing these happy accidents as… you guessed it: “Jersey Flukes”.  It was only towards the end of Queen Victoria’s reign when it became fashionable to assert a royal connection for your products that the “flukes” was dropped in favour of “Royals” and so the Jersey Royal industry was born.

Today, Jersey Royals enjoy protected PDO status and must be grown in Jersey to be able to be called Jersey Royals. They are still cultivated in very much the same way as they were back in the 1800s, with the earliest outdoor fields  being planted on very steep south facing coastal slopes called côtils. It is a labour-intensive business as these slopes are too steep to be ploughed or planted by machinery, so the ploughing is done by hand ploughs pulled on a winch cable from the top of the côtil and planting is done by hand.  The seed potatoes are also carefully planted  to make sure that the shoots are placed uppermost to ensure even and early emergence, so these steep côtils always yield the earliest outdoor crop of Jersey Royals. The côtils are harvested from about April with peak volume falling in May and June, while the season continues through to the end of July. A full traceability system is in operation allowing each pack of potatoes to be traced back to its field of origin.

 

Jersey-royals-salmon-salad1 © Jeanne Horak 2019

 

Jersey royals have a delicious nutty flavour and slightly waxy texture, making them perfect for salads; or roasted or pan-fried in oil or butter till crisp.  The traditional way to serve them is simply boiled with butter and salt but there is always some debate as to the best preparation method. There are arguments in favour of boiling them in cold water versus dunking them into already boiling water; as well as a perennial debate over whether they need to be peeled or not.  Whichever method you choose, make sure you enjoy them while you can because they are among the last truly seasonal products you can find in the UK. This recipe makes a perfect summery dinner and the simple flavours allow the Jersey Royals to shine.  I used hot smoked salmon but you could also use poached salmon, or a different fish altogether.

 

Jersey-royals-salmon-salad4 © Jeanne Horak 2019

 

DISCLOSURE: I was sent a free sample of Jersey Royal potatoes but received no further remuneration and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own and I retained full editorial control. 

More potato recipes to try on Cooksister:

  • Smoked mackerel, beetroot and potato salad
  • South African potato bake with mushrooms
  • Papas arrugadas con mojo verde (Canary Islands wrinkled potatoes)
  • Spinach, chorizo & new potato salad with sous vide egg
  • Hasselback potatoes

 

5 from 4 votes
Jersey-royals-salmon-salad4 © Jeanne Horak 2019
Print
Potato, salmon and cucumber salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

A delicious summer salad combining nutty Jersey Royal new potatoes with silky salmon and crisp cucumber.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: British
Keyword: potatoes
Author: Jeanne Horak
Ingredients
  • 750 g new potatoes (I used Jersey Royals)
  • 4 hot smoked or poached salmon fillets, skin removed
  • 250 g cucumber, sliced into half moons
  • 1 handful fresh dill, chopped
For the dressing:
  • 60 ml plain yoghurt or creme fraiche
  • 2 Tbsp chives, finely chopped
  • lemon juice, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp wholegrain mustard
  • salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Scrub the potatoes with a potato brush to remove any flaky bits of skin - no need to peel.

  2. Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp of salt and bring to the boil. Allow to boil for about 15 minutes and then check if potatoes are cooked by seeing if they can be pierced with a sharp knife. The smaller ones will cook faster - remove them from the pot as they are ready and set aside.

  3. While the potatoes are boiling, slice the cucumber into half moon slices and flake the salmon, discarding the skin.

  4. When the potatoes are all done, cut them into bite-sized chunks as necessary and add to a bowl together with the salmon flakes, cucumber and chopped dill.

  5. Place all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar and mix well. Check for seasoning and adjust as necessary.

  6. Pour the dressing over the potato, salmon and cucumber and mix well until everything is coated in dressing. Sprinkle with a few sprigs of dill and serve.

More deliciousness for you!

  • Potted smoked salmon with quick pickle apple slawPotted smoked salmon with quick pickle apple slaw
  • Smoked salmon penne – quick, easy & indulgentSmoked salmon penne – quick, easy & indulgent
  • Smoked salmon paté mouldsSmoked salmon paté moulds
  • Smoked salmon and dill chowderSmoked salmon and dill chowder

Never miss a Cooksister post

If you enjoyed this post, enter your e-mail address here to receive a FREE e-mail update when a new post appears on Cooksister

I love comments almost as much as I love cheese - so if you can't leave me any cheese, please leave me a comment instead!

« Review: Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecote
Karapincha – Sri Lankan food in Canary Wharf »

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jo Michie says

    July 30, 2019 at 6:04 pm

    Can’t wait to make this recipe.
    I adore Jersey Royals, their flavour is so good. One of the bad things about being in China is that there is no differentiation in types of potato. They are always
    大 (da=big) or 小 (xiao=small).
    Here near our home in Scotland we can get hot smoked salmon directly from the smokery in the next village, relatively inexpensive and so good. Dill and chives we have in the garden, so with a cucumber and Jersey Royals from the marvelous farm Shop at Ardross, this looks like a no brainer. Easy and delicious, Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Jessica Formicola says

    August 2, 2019 at 7:10 pm

    This is such an interesting combination of ingredients, and it sounds just wonderful! I can’t wait to try it this weekend!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    August 2, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    What a yummy type of potato salad. I really liked it, although I must admit, I’ve never had a Jersey Royal. But it does sound like it would be the perfect potato for this recipe.

    Reply
  4. Beth Pierce says

    August 2, 2019 at 8:32 pm

    This is everything a gourmet salad should be, and then some! Looking forward to enjoying this with dinner tonight!

    Reply
  5. Andrea Metlika says

    August 2, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    Potatoes and salmon with cucumbers too, sounds De-licious!! Pinned for later.

    Reply
  6. Cookilicious says

    August 2, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    These would make the perfect side on the brunch table!

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Never miss a Cooksister post!

Get my latest recipes delivered by e-mail!

Search over 500 recipes

Recently on Cooksister

  • Perfect broccoli and Stilton soup [keto, low carb, GF]
  • Masalchi by Atul Kochhar – Indian street food in Wembley
  • Barbecued salmon with blood oranges and capers
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts with feta, pomegranate and pine nuts [GF, V]
  • Love Yourself healthy meal delivery [Review]
  • Antillean
  • Festive roast lamb with pomegranate glaze
  • Rustic blood orange and pistachio galettes

Archives by month

Archives by category

Popular posts

Peppermint Crisp fridge tart - a South African treat
Oxtail and red wine potjie
Nigella's Bakewell slices & the Big Bakewell Taste-off
Gem squash 101: how to find them, how to grow them, how to eat them!
Things to do in Kitzbühel if you don't ski
Jan Ellis pudding - a classic South African dessert

Featured on

Also available on

Do you enjoy free art installations? Then you need Do you enjoy free art installations? Then you need to get down to @canarywharflondon between now and Saturday 28 Jan to catch the free Winter Lights 2023 event, back for the seventh year.

My favourites include @lukejerramartist ‘s Floating Earth; Tom Lambert’s Out of the Dark; Fluorescent Firs; Toroid by This is Loop; and the surreal and mesmerising Anima by MEATS - a tunnel filled with hundreds of thin optical fibre lights that change colour and move in the breeze 😍 

Have you been to Winter Lights? What was your favourite?
“When we look down at the Earth from space, we s “When we look down at the Earth from space, we see this amazing, indescribably beautiful planet. It looks like a living, breathing organism. But it also, at the same time, looks extremely fragile.” - International Space Station astronaut Ron Garamond

To experience the “overview effect” (a phenomenon experienced by astronauts viewing the earth from space), head down to Canary Wharf in the London docklands this week where you can see @lukejerramartist ‘s beautiful Floating Earth installation as part of the Winter Lights event. 

This giant 10m diameter installation is created using high resolution NASA images to create a floating scale model of the Earth, lit from within so that it glows from its current home on the Middle Dock, surrounded by the headquarters of international banking and finance corporations.

The artist hopes that viewed in this context, the installation will make visitors and the bankers working in surrounding buildings question how their money in savings and pensions is invested, and whether investments can be greener.

Aside from being a thought provoking piece, it is also mesmerising and surreally beautiful, so make sure you visit the free Winter Lights event before ends on Saturday 28 Jan.
Happy lunar new year! [Invited] To celebrate the Happy lunar new year! 

[Invited] To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, why not head over to @mamachensdumplings currently doing a residence at the @thegantrylondon in #stratford where you can feast on prawn & chive dumplings; pork, Chinese cabbage and shiitake mushroom dumplings; pork & prawn wontons with Mama Chen’s chilli oil; vegetable dumplings; smacked cucumber salad; and spicy noodles coated in garlic and Szechuan pepper oil.

And afterwards, make sure you head up to the @unionsocialoc bar for a cocktail - I loved the Moreish Fashion with bourbon, PX sherry, chestnuts and mandarin orange bitters!
Got leftover Stilton (or any blue cheese) from Chr Got leftover Stilton (or any blue cheese) from Christmas? Turn it into this super simple and super indulgent broccoli and Stilton soup! So easy to make and soooo delicious to eat - and it is low carb and GF. What more could you want?! Click the link in my bio for the full recipe. What’s your favourite soup?
CELEBRATE. So the fireworks are over, the champag CELEBRATE.

So the fireworks are over, the champagne is finished and the leftovers are all eaten. We are one week into 2023 and I have had some time to think about what my intent is for the year. 

In 2022 my brother had a life saving kidney transplant. Since the operation, he has had a Peanuts cartoon as his WhatsApp profile pic, where Charlie Brown and Snoopy are sitting on a pier talking. Charlie says “Some day, we all die Snoopy.” And Snoopy replies: “Yes - but every other day, we will live.”

Waking up in the morning is a gift, every day, and it is so easy to forget this. The last few years have been difficult for so many people and the coming year promises its own challenges. But every day that we don’t die is a day to live, to celebrate life in some small way.

So my intention in 2023 is to celebrate. Celebrate our achievements however small. Celebrate our friends and family. Celebrate small things. Celebrate life.

Did you make any resolutions or goals for 2023? I would love to hear them in the comments! Wishing you all the very best for 2023 🥂
Happy new year, everyone! Here are some scenes fro Happy new year, everyone! Here are some scenes from last night with friends in Deptford. My deconstructed avocado ritz; @twinkleparkstephen ‘s bobitie; Giles’ Ottolenghi tomato salad; and Jean’s clementine trifle - and the London night sky ablaze with fireworks!  How did you spend your evening? 🥂🎇🎆
Merry Christmas to all those celebrating - I hope Merry Christmas to all those celebrating - I hope your day was merry and bright, filled with family, friends and love 🎄🥂. Mine was spent alone at home - my choice and the result of a combination of Covid (not mine!) and rail strikes 🤦‍♀️ but very relaxing and indulgent!
Looking for a stylish and easy Christmas starter y Looking for a stylish and easy Christmas starter you can make ahead? Look no further than my individual smoked salmon terrine! Hot smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives wrapped in cold smoked salmon in a ramekin. Still one of the most popular Christmas recipes in my blog, it looks cheffy but is soooo simple to make - and will save you time and effort on the day! Get the recipe by clicking on the link in my bio.

How is your Christmas meal prep going? Are you entertaining at home or going to friends or family? 🎄🥂🎄🥂🎄
Looking for a brilliant biryani near Marble Arch? Looking for a brilliant biryani near Marble Arch? I recently enjoyed a feast at Biryani Kebab Chai @bkc.restaurant on Edgeware Road, including wonderful sweet, spicy and crunchy papri chaat; smoky burrah lamb kebab; galouti lamb patties; juicy chaap chicken thigh kebab; spicy chapli chicken patties; and the surprising vegetarian dahi ke patties made of yoghurt! We also tried the chicken and soya biryanis, both with incredibly fluffy and delicately spiced rice. You can get their biryanis as a 1kg takeaway, served in a beautiful branded clay pot that serves 3-4 people, for about £30. Bargain! We also took home a sample of their desserts, including a fragrant and delicious kheer rice pudding. If you are in the Marble Arch area, get yourself to BKC!  #invited #bkcrestaurants
Load More... Follow me on Instagram

Follow Jeanne Horak-Druiff's board Recipes by Cooksister on Pinterest.

Cooksister

The South African Food and Wine Blog Directory

The South African Food and Wine Blog Directory

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

Latest Recipes

Bowls of broccoli and Stilton soup
Salmon with blood oranges dill and capers
Brussels sprouts with feta and pomegranate
Roast lamb with pomegranate glaze
Blood orange & pistachio galettes
Cauliflower topped steak with melted cheese
Plate of potted smoked salmon with slaw and a glass of champagne
bowls of pistachio pomegranate bircher muesli

SITEMAP

Home

Contact

About me

Recipe Index

Restaurant Index

Copyright & Disclaimer

Cookies & privacy policy




blog counter

© 2004 - 2023 · Jeanne Horak unless otherwise stated - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may not reproduce any text, excerpts or images without my prior permission. Site by RTW Labs

Copyright © 2023 · Cooksister on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cooksister cookie consent
We use cookies to ensure you receive the best experience on our site. If you continue to use this site, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions. Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT