This updated picnic potato salad gets subtle flavor from smoked ham. If you can find them, small, thin-skinned early potatoes are best in this salad.

Makes 8 servings, about 1 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 40 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

2 pounds small potatoes, preferably heirloom
1 cup chopped celery
2 ounces smoked ham, sliced into strips
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or dill
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 large hard-boiled eggs (see Tip), peeled and coarsely chopped

1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, partially covered, until just tender, 12 to 20 minutes, depending on their size. Drain and let cool for about 15 minutes.
2. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, taste a bit of potato skin—if it’s bitter or tough, peel the potatoes. Otherwise, leave the skins on. Cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces and put them in a large salad bowl.
3. Add celery, ham, parsley, chives (or scallions) and mint (or dill) to the potatoes. Toss to combine. Add buttermilk, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper; stir to combine. Gently stir in chopped egg. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 138 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 58 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 2 g fiber; 272 mg sodium; 643 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (25% daily value), Potassium (18% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 lean meat, 1 fat

TIP: Tip: To hard-boil eggs: Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook at the barest simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, pour out hot water and cover the eggs with cold water. Let stand until cool enough to handle before peeling.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.

I was a little leary of only using buttermilk for the dressing but it worked out great. Wonderful flavor and great texture using tiny white potatoes.

Alisha