The job I was working when I decided to go vegan was as a nutritional advisor at a personal catering company, which was run by a celebrity nutritionist here in LA. Daily, I would listen to people tell me about their food preferences and their goals regarding this new eating plan, whether it was for convenience, weight loss, or better health. I would then design their meal program for them around this information.
People would tell me how they liked cooked tomatoes but not raw. How they didn't like anything too "ethnicy." How cooked onions were not okay. How the only fruit they liked to eat was either apples or grapes but never at the same time. How they needed to have some form of animal protein with every meal. How any vegetables served must be "hidden" in the meal, never as a side dish. How they preferred zucchini to be peeled. How they needed to have chicken breast daily but only at lunch time. How they love peanut butter but hate nuts. How they didn't like green-colored soups. How they didn't eat anything with cumin in it. How they didn't do fruit-based desserts. How they only do fruit-based desserts.
These were just a hint at the variety of requests I would receive daily. The biggest request by far, however, was that they didn't want any carbs. "I'm trying to lose weight, so I can't have any carbs. No bread, no pasta, no potatoes. Nothing starchy." I would then have to explain to them how carbs do not cause one to gain weight. Carbs will not prevent one from losing weight. I would explain how our brains only function from energy obtained from carbohydrates. I would explain to them how we only used whole grain breads and pastas and how the fiber would aid in their weight loss endeavors. I would explain how we only prepared potatoes in a "healthy" (healthy by this company's standards, not by a vegan's standard) way and they are in fact, complex carbohydrates, filled with fiber, vitamins A, C and B-5 and when consumed in moderation, they are a great addition to a balanced diet. Their response was almost always "Well, can I just not have any carbs?"
Everyone has little things they strongly dislike about their work. Little things that make them crazy and makes them want to go home and write angrily in their diary or complain to their significant other about. This little discussion was one of those things for me. I loved all the little quirky likes and dislikes, but the carb thing would always get to me. It was not, however, the reason I left this job. I left because I went vegan. I could no longer sell (for lack of a better word) animal products to people or in good conscience incorporate them into their meal plans without feeling miserable. My office was also connected to the main kitchen so whenever I would walk to the bathroom, I would see pieces of animal carcasses being cooked up or the new shipment of ground turkey sitting on a pallet waiting to be put away. My boss begged me to stay and even called me a few months ago to see if I would consider going back, but living in accordance with my ethics was and is more important to me than any paycheck. And also, I don't think I could handle another "carb conversation."
So, in celebration of the fact that I don't have to explain to people why potatoes are okay to eat any more, let's eat some potato salad! And boy is this a potato salad for the record books (And yes, I have noticed that I've started the last three- well, four now, sentences with conjunctions. I don't care. I love it.)! Rosemary roasted baby golden potatoes tossed with fresh baby greens, chopped olives and lemon juice. Simple and perfect.
This salad is definitely going to be my summer potluck potato salad this year. It's just so crazy-easy to make and even more ridiculously delicious that I can't not make it. And I think that you can't not make it either. Make it, share it, and if people whine about potatoes or carbs, trust me- just nicely tell them to stop talking and eat it. The whole "carb conversation" is just so not fun.
Ingredients
- about 20-24 tiny golden potatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4-5 cups baby greens (I used a mixture of baby kale, spinach, and chard)
- 1 1/2 cups sliced olives (I used both black and green)
- juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the potato halves out on the sheet. Drizzle olive oil, then add rosemary, salt and pepper. Toss to fully coat each potato.
- Roast the potatoes in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
- While the potatoes are in the oven, prepare the rest of your salad. Combine the greens and the olives in a large bowl.
- As soon as the potatoes are done cooking, transfer them to the bowl with the rest of the salad. The potatoes will make the greens wilt a bit, which I like. If you want to keep the greens crisp, let the potatoes cool for a bit before adding them. Add the lemon juice and toss to fully combine. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
What's going to be your summer potluck dish? Hint: It should totally be something with potatoes and olives in it...
Photography by Chris Miller
Emily - it comes naturally
Love your blog! I recently posted about why carbs are GOOD. There is so much negative carb-press and it's wrong! BTW, I have conjunction-itus too! http://itcomesnaturallyblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/carbs-are-good-vegan-buckwheat-pasta/
keepinitkind
Yay for conjunctionitus! Good to know that I'm not the only one! 😉
Shannon C
I totally can't stand it either when people think carbs are unhealthy. Nothing is that black and white! Also, I think in your ingredients listing, you meant to write golden potatoes, not golden tomatoes. 🙂 Boy does it look delicious!
keepinitkind
Thank you for the heads up on that- it's been fixed now. Who knows what was going through my head! 😉
Crissie
Your potato salad looks great! I have a potluck very soon, and I just may have to bring this.
And I can only imagine how ridiculous some of those requests must have been! Especially when someone thinks they're doing something "healthy", but are just so off base.
keepinitkind
Thank you! This will definitely be a great potluck dish- it's a crowd pleaser! 🙂
Shira
Lovely salad Kristy! I am with you --- carbs have forever a place in my diet, I don't blame you for walking from that job (I worked for a store for years that had many things coming out of its deli - pretty tough to walk by several times a day). I'm with you celebrating over here!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Shira. There were other things about the job as well that all added up to being a very toxic situation for me. I am so thankful to be out of it, just as I'm sure you are about not working in that store anymore! I can't even walk through the meat section of a grocery store anymore- it really puts me off. But here's to us leaving toxic jobs for bigger and better things! xx
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Wonderfully put Kristy! I hate when people insist that carbs are bad, but animal meat is good, what?! Love the salad as well, warm potato salad is calling out summer!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Abby. You are so right! I will never understand people who believe meat is good for them when something like carbs or healthy fats (like avocados or nuts) are bad. People can be so weird. 🙂
Maya
Looks delicious! I hate that carb conversation too! Especially when people go on Atkins-esh diets and actually think they are healthy.
Also- I think you wrote tomatoes by mistake instead of potatoes in the ingredients!
keepinitkind
Thank you! It's so weird what people will believe in order to "be healthy," isn't it?
Courtney @ The Fig Tree
Yum! This salad looks wonderful. I'm a huge fan of olives. I don't know why I've never had them in potato salad before. Great idea!
I don't think I could give up carbs. I love whole grains! They fill me up. I don't quite know what I would eat without complex carbs in my diet! That would eliminate beans and lentils too!
keepinitkind
Thanks, Courtney! I could never be without carbs either. I love 'em!
FoodFeud
Looks delicious. Olives on anything; I'll take it. And yes, this is a perfect summer salad.
keepinitkind
Thank you! I'm with you- Olives on everything, please!
Richgail @AstigVegan
I love potatoes in salads. CARBS, YUM. I find it quite admirable that you left your job because you went vegan. At times I have to compromise at my day job too. I wish I could muster the same courage as you did.
keepinitkind
Thanks, Richgail! The workplace can sometimes be difficult when it comes to your personal dietary choices, and especially during these economic times, leaving a job for that basis can be tricky. I completely understand. 🙂
Willow (Will Cook For Friends)
Haha, yes! Yes, yes, and yes! I'm really okay with people having their own ideas about what they want to put into their body, or not put into their body, but there are some things (like the carb thing for you) that just push my buttons because 90% of the time, the people who think it's a good idea don't actually understand nutrition, and are only doing it because it's the latest fad. Also, I love that you pointed out how many sentences you were starting with conjunctions... I frequently notice minor things like that in my writing, which I doubt anyone else would ever pay attention to, and then have to go back and change them so I can stop worrying about it. 😛
Okay, and I can't go without saying the salad looks delicious. This would be perfect on a day like to day. Warm, with a bright lemony dressing... yes please!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Willow! 🙂
Richa
I cant give up carbs. i heart bread too much:) its the crazy no carb diet which makes some of the celebs look all skinny but wrinkly right.
i love baby potatoes too and this fresh salad!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Richa! And they do look pretty wrinkly, don't they? I'd never noticed that, but you're right!
Andrea
When I first read your intro I thought, "wow, she must have the patience of a saint. I could never do that." Then I realized, yes I could — it sounds like cooking for kids! As in, "Are there white things in this?" Ha!
I love potatoes, and your potato salad looks gorgeous. I want to make it right away!
keepinitkind
Yes- I totally feel you with cooking for kids. The twins are exact opposites when it comes to food, and both are pretty picky to boot, so cooking for the four of us can definitely require a lot of patience. 🙂
Hannah
Having grown up in a family that ate roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes likely 3-4 nights a week, at least, I've never been able to do anything but laugh at the no-carb thing. Also because, well, I could never live without dessert 😉
This recipe looks so tremendously wonderful, Kristy! Anything with olives and lemon gets my vote.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Hannah! Amen to potatoes 3-4 nights a week! I need to up my tater intake! 😉
Liz
Kristy,
What an INTERESTING life you've led! You have such an eclectic resume -- nanny, fromagier, nutritional advisor, assistant to --. What's Chris' title on the sets?
I try very hard to be open minded about people's dietary preferences, but sometimes it proves to be SO difficult. The patience you've displayed in your divulged professions have been nothing short of saintly. I don't think I could EVER do what you did as a nutritional advisor; it sounds absolutely insufferable!
On another note, my SO is Eastern European and would be perfectly content to eat potatoes every day, especially if olives are somehow involved. A well balanced meal for him is carbs and more carbs. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Liz! I do tend to have a lot of patience when it comes to other people, but when it comes to being patient with myself, I am definitely lacking. I will irritate myself far sooner than anyone else will even come close to irritating me. 🙂
It sounds like this dish was made for your SO! Any guy that can eat potatoes every day is a winner in my book. 🙂
Alissa N
This looks so incredible!! It caught my eye immediately because I never thought of putting olives in a potato salad, but now I can't see why not, it sounds like the most amazing combo!! I can't wait to try this one, we are doing a Father's Day BBQ this weekend and I am totally going to make this!! 🙂 (Also, I too cringe when people talk about how they can't have carbs. And when they say "you can't get enough protein without meat")
keepinitkind
Oooooh- that's another pet peeve of mine! The meat protein myth. Phooey!
I so hope that your guest like this salad this Sunday! I have a feeling I'll be making it again this weekend too! 🙂
Maria Tadic
I totally feel you on those "diet requests." I hear them all the time from patients and clients. And the second I ask why or what's the reasoning...they usually can't back it up with anything remotely substantial or correct. It's very frustrating. Not only educating but also "uneducating" people about certain things. Drives me nuts!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Maria! That's a good way to put it- It really is like you're "Uneducating" people when it comes to diet fads.
Caitlin
yes to potatoes! and boy, this is definitely a potato salad worth it's weight in gold. looks splendid, my dear.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caitlin! xx
Angela @ Canned Time
Love potatoes, love olives. This has to be fantastic. I tried the tiny potatoes they have at Trader Joe's once and they were so tender and full flavored. I love the simplicity of the Olive Oil and just a little lemon, perfect. I'd take a bowl of this any day over a mayo gloppy potato salad in the summer. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thanks, Angela! I made this with those tiny potatoes from Trader Joe's! They are so perfectly creamy. 🙂
Ashlee
Oh, hells bells. Carbs carbs carbs. I say, "BRING THAT SHIT ON." Especially if it's dressed in lemon and zesty olive yumminess.
I do health coaching too, and a gal came to me the other day and said, "I want to go vegan, but I need to stick to 25g of carb per day, Doctor's orders." My first response: "What the heck are you eating now that you can survive (barely) on 25g of carbs?" And my second response: "And who the hell is your whacko doctor?" The war on carbs must stop! Like you said, they help yo' brain and they also help your body to effectively use and process water. People who lose weight on low carb diets lose pretty much only water weight, and yes to Richa's point, they look wrinkly and weird. Can't we all just eat real food?
Thanks for the voice of reason, Kristy. And for the tasty recipe for us to sail on. 🙂
keepinitkind
I love that you say "hells bells." I say that all the time. 🙂 And amen to carbs and more carbs!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
You go girl! Let's end the carb fear!
I love olives and lemon together, so full of flavour and fresh! I bet it takes this salad to the next level 🙂
keepinitkind
Thanks, Annabel! 🙂
Crista
oh yeah, the best looking potato salad I've ever seen!! xo
keepinitkind
Thank you! And trust me- it's my new favorite potato salad! 🙂
Katie @ Produce on Parade
This looks like a great vegan dish to bring to a potluck or BBQ, thanks for sharing! 🙂 Love it!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Katie!
Allison
Made this today with black olives only. Next time I will only use half a lemon, but this was cheapish (7 dollars approx.) for three four meals. It's easy and nutritious and VERY filling!
keepinitkind
That is so great to hear, Allison! I hadn't thought about it, but you're right- it is pretty inexpensive for such a easy, healthy & filling meal! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
Julie
I saw this recipe when you first posted it and we made it the next day: sooooooo good! It's also so easy and doesn't take many ingredients. We made it at least every other day while traveling in Ireland last summer, b/c it is a filling, delicious, gourmet-tasting, nutritious dinner. Thank you!
Millie l Add A Little
Love this light summery potato salad - I bet it would go so well with salmon!
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
Lynnette
Made this for a church BBQ and it received rave reviews. It was extremely easy and a beautiful presentation. Tasted great warm or cold. (Ideal for a BBQ!) Thanks for sharing your talent! I'm emailing out a link to your recipe now to several who requested it.
The only thing I did different, is I only applied half the lemon and then left the other cut half for people to choose if they wanted to add more. 🙂
GKatz
This has become my signature salad! So easy and so delicious. Perfect accompaniment to a light lunch or braai on a summer day by the pool!
Phil
I rarely comment on recipes but just had to tell you how amazing this was! I used kalamata olives and since I didn't have any green olives, I threw in some capers. Amazing!! I will definelty be making this again! Thanks so much!