An indoor picnic with Tesco Jersey Royal New Potatoes

Lia has been desperate for a picnic all week, but the weather and work have conspired against us. So yesterday, I was determined to do something about it. Despite the rain, I made up an indoor picnic. Complete with picnic basket and picnic blanket. I also made a fabulous potato salad with Tesco Jersey Royal New Potatoes and natural yoghurt instead of mayonnaise.

Potato salad recipe

When I was younger, I disliked mayonnaise. These days, I quite like it on some things but still much prefer natural yoghurt in potato salad. It makes a healthy, unusual alternative to sandwiches for a picnic. And there are only a few ingredients:

• Tesco Jersey Royal New Potatoes
• Natural yoghurt
• Juice of half a lemon
• Small handful of fresh chives
• Pinch of salt

Method

• I used Baby Jersey Royal New Potatoes so I didn’t cut mine up. But if you’re using larger ones, cut them into bite size chunks
• Place the potatoes into a pan and cover with cold water
• Place a lid on the pan, heat gently and simmer for 20 minutes
• Meanwhile to make the dressing, place half a pot of natural yoghurt in a large bowl
• Use scissors to cut the chives into 1cm long pieces and place into the bowl
• Juice half a lemon through a sieve into a bowl
• Add the lemon juice to the yoghurt and chives
• Mix well
• Add a pinch of salt to taste
• Mix again
• Remove the Jersey Royals from the heat, rinse in cold water and leave to cool for 10 minutes
• Add the Jersey Royals to the dressing and mix carefully

Why Jersey Royals?

If you’ve never tried Jersey Royal Potatoes before, you really are missing out. They can only be grown on the island of Jersey and they’re now in season and available to buy in Tesco. They’re a bit late this year due to the weather, hence the baby ones are still available. The taste of Jersey Royals is quite distinctive. Nutty and earthy – and widely accepted to be one of the best foodie signs that spring has sprung.

I also love the fact that these tasty spuds are still produced in a traditional way. The seed is planted by hand and they’re fertilised using Jersey seaweed. Grown on steep slopes, the potatoes are harvested using a winch and cables. They’re kidney shaped with a waxy texture and a delicate skin that looks like it’s coming away before you even cook it. They’re the only potato to carry an EU protected designation of origin mark of authenticity. Just like stilton cheese and clotted cream.

Our indoor picnic

I had hoped that the rain might have stopped by the time the potato salad was ready, but it wasn’t to be. So, I cut up some salad, grabbed some hummus and put crisps in a bowl. A jug of squash, strawberries and cream and we were ready to go.

We laid out the picnic blanket by the patio window and popped the picnic hamper on it. Lia eats quite well anyway but it was great to see her getting stuck into a healthy selection of picking food for lunch. It’s safe to say, the potato salad was a hit.