{Simply Potatoes} Loaded Potato Salad + {GIVEAWAY}

It’s summer time and I don’t know about you, but I love to make different salads and cold dishes to beat the heat. We don’t have a grill (which I’m still sad about) and when you turn the oven on in the apartment it is like a million degrees. Pair that with an air conditioner that isn’t that efficient and you’re in for a warm night (and a high electric bill!) One of our favorites is the Chop(ped) Salad that I’ve shared with you before. You’ll notice it involves bacon, which we love. We’re also a huge fan of Macaroni Salad – my Mom has a killer recipe that is so simple & basic, yet yields so much flavor. I really enjoy The Best Basic Potato Salad recipe that I’ve made in the past, but I wanted something that packed a little punch. So when I was contacted by Simply Potatoes to share a summer side dish using their potatoes, I knew bacon had to be involved in some way, shape or form.

Simply Potatoes is a product I love, and I use it all of the time. I use their Shredded Hashbrowns for the Hashbrown Crusted Breakfast Casserole that I make. I’ve tried shredding my own potatoes for hashbrowns and can I tell you what a disaster that was? It’s so much easier (and cheaper!) to just buy them already shredded. They’ve got so many other wonderful products that truly make your life so much easier. They even have recipes on their web site for you to try out.

And can I tell you how easy it was to just throw a bag in the microwave and press start? I didn’t have to wash potatoes, peel potatoes, or even cut potatoes. It was already done for me. They were already seasoned with zesty garlic so I didn’t have to mess with a garlic press and tons of other seasoning.

This would be a wonderful side dish to take on your picnic if you’re attending Dîner en Blanc in Philadelphia! This is sure to be a dish that is gone before you know it! Throw it in your cooler and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• One 16 oz. package Simply Potatoes Zesty Garlic Diced Russets
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 8 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 tablespoon of fresh chives (green onions work as well)
• ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt & freshly cracked pepper, to taste

 INSTRUCTIONS

Steam the potatoes in the microwave as directed on the package. Let them sit in the microwave for a few minutes. Remove them from the microwave and put them in a bowl. Let them cool.

While the potatoes are cooling, fry your bacon. Drain on a paper towel and crumble. Set aside. And try not to eat it all.

At this point your potatoes should be about room temperature. Add in your mayonnaise and your sour cream and stir. Add in your bacon, chives and cheddar cheese. Stir carefully. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. I like to let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to get nice & cold.

IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***

I’m giving away a coupon for one free product to one lucky winner! You can choose any Simply Potatoes product to try!

RULES:

1. Eligibility:

Giveaway is open to readers with U.S. shipping addresses only.

Here are the sweepstakes rules.

2. How to Enter:

Please leave a blog comment on this post telling me what your favorite potato dish is!

For BONUS ENTRIES, please leave a SEPARATE comment for each additional entry letting me know you’ve done any of these:

1)      Follow me on Twitter;

2)      Follow Simply Potatoes on Twitter;

3)       Tweet about the giveaway “I entered @one_curly_fry’s giveaway to win @simplypotatoes! #simplyfied http://wp.me/p1oF1b-1f5″

4)      Subscribe to email updates at the top of the left sidebar;

5)      Blog about this giveaway on your blog.

6)      “Like” one curly fry’s Facebook Page.

7)      “Like” Simply Potatoes Facebook Page.

This contest will run until Tuesday July 31st, 2012 at 1:00pm  (Eastern) and a winner will be chosen by random.org. The winner will be announced by 5:00 pm (Eastern) on July 31, 2012.

 {Simply Potatoes provided me with the Potatoes for this dish and the Giveaway coupon, but as always my opinions are 100% my own}