Dijon mustard (Recipe: French potato salad)

First published in October 2006, this updated ingredient post features new photos, links, and tweaks to the recipe. Consider this classic (and dairy-free) potato salad for your holiday table; it tastes best when made a few hours in advance, to allow the warm potatoes to absorb all of the tangy mustard dressing. And don't skimp on the parsley. It's not just a garnish here, but an integral ingredient.

Who can forget the commercial — it ran on television forever — two limosines pull up next to each other, the windows silently roll down, and from one, an outstretched arm and a mellifluous voice, asking,

"Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?"

"But of course," comes the disembodied reply from the other car.

The jar of dijon mustard changes hands, and we're left to believe that no self-respecting chauffeur-driven limosine would be without this most famous of condiments.

I don't know about limos, but my pantry wouldn't be without Dijon mustard. Never mind how very good it is on a grilled chicken sandwich; it's the secret ingredient in my homemade meat sauce, beef stew, and other dishes that love a bit of undefinable tang. Usually I have Grey Poupon, which is easy to find in my local markets; sometimes I keep a jar of Maille, too.

Mustard-making in the Dijon region of Frances dates to the 13th century. Grey Poupon mustard came on the market in 1777, when a Mr. Grey and a Mr. Poupon (no kidding) formed a partnership. Grey had developed the recipe; Poupon had the money to back the venture. Though the original Grey Poupon store still stands in downtown Dijon, most of the world's mustard is made from seeds grown in Canada.

Dijon mustard is made from husked black mustard seeds, blended with wine or vinegar, salt, and spices. It is pale yellow, with no artificial coloring agents allowed, and varies from mild to very hot.

An essential ingredient in many French sauces, Dijon mustard pairs well with vegetables, chicken and beef. It also cuts the oiliness of salmon and bluefish.

Pardon me....do you have any Grey Poupon in your pantry?

French potato salad with basic vinaigrette  {vegan, gluten-free}

From the pantry, you'll need: red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, fresh black pepper, extra virgin olive oil.

Every cook develops his or her basic all-purpose vinaigrette. Here’s mine. If you like your dressing a bit sweeter, or are including fruit in your salad, try adding 1 tsp of honey. Serves 8.

Ingredients

3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed clean but not peeled
1 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
Sea salt and coarse black pepper, to taste

For the vinaigrette:
1/3 cup red wine or sherry vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup fruity extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

In a large pot, place the potatoes (cut in half if large) and cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, and shake to emulsify.

When the potatoes are cooked, drain, and remove potatoes to a cutting board. As soon as they are cool enough to handle, slice into 1/4-inch thick slices and place in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and parsley, and toss gently until the potatoes are coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

[Printer-friendly recipe.]

More irresistible potatoes:
Thyme roasted new potatoes, from The Perfect Pantry
Warm potato, fennel and onion salad with balsamic vinaigrette, from The Perfect Pantry
Mustard roasted new potatoes, from Joy the Baker
Blue potato salad with fresh mustard and baby fennel, from TasteFood

I don't know about limos, but my pantry wouldn't be without Dijon mustard. Never mind how very good it is on a grilled chicken sandwich; it's the secret ingredient in my homemade meat sauce, beef stew, and other dishes that love a bit of undefinable tang. Usually I have Grey Poupon, which is easy to find in my local markets; sometimes I keep a jar of Maille, too.

Mustard-making in the Dijon region of Frances dates to the 13th century. Grey Poupon mustard came on the market in 1777, when a Mr. Grey and a Mr. Poupon (no kidding) formed a partnership. Grey had developed the recipe; Poupon had the money to back the venture. Though the original Grey Poupon store still stands in downtown Dijon, most of the world's mustard is made from seeds grown in Canada.

Dijon mustard is made from husked black mustard seeds, blended with wine or vinegar, salt, and spices. It is pale yellow, with no artificial coloring agents allowed, and varies from mild to very hot.

An essential ingredient in many French sauces, Dijon mustard pairs well with vegetables, chicken and beef. It also cuts the oiliness of salmon and bluefish.

Pardon me....do you have any Grey Poupon in your pantry?

French potato salad with basic vinaigrette  {vegan, gluten-free}

From the pantry, you'll need: red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, fresh black pepper, extra virgin olive oil.

Every cook develops his or her basic all-purpose vinaigrette. Here’s mine. If you like your dressing a bit sweeter, or are including fruit in your salad, try adding 1 tsp of honey. Serves 8.

Ingredients

3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed clean but not peeled
1 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
Sea salt and coarse black pepper, to taste

For the vinaigrette:
1/3 cup red wine or sherry vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup fruity extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

In a large pot, place the potatoes (cut in half if large) and cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, and shake to emulsify.

When the potatoes are cooked, drain, and remove potatoes to a cutting board. As soon as they are cool enough to handle, slice into 1/4-inch thick slices and place in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and parsley, and toss gently until the potatoes are coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

[Printer-friendly recipe.]

More irresistible potatoes:
Thyme roasted new potatoes, from The Perfect Pantry
Warm potato, fennel and onion salad with balsamic vinaigrette, from The Perfect Pantry
Mustard roasted new potatoes, from Joy the Baker
Blue potato salad with fresh mustard and baby fennel, from TasteFood

Comments

Of course I always have this, but I do keep mine in the fridge. So now are you telling me it doesn't need to be refrigerated. That never occurred to me!

And I am trying hard to avoid potatoes, but this sounds wonderful.

This looks so delicious!

Kalyn, true, though I always keep my opened jars in the door of my refrigerator.

Carrian, these potatoes are so tangy, and not drowned in mayonnaise.

Lydia,
We are down to the German or Icelandic senap and desperately need to get to the store for mustard. Burgers just aren't the same without it!
I loved that commercial, and my spouse is a Grey Poupon fan--will need to pick up some before his return.
Thanks!

I want to give this recipe a try. It looks wonderfully simple, and it looks much healthier than the traditional mayo based potato salad.

mustard - any kind - is my total favorite! As a kid I sometimes snacked on saltines spread with a thin layer of french's! And but of course I am never without at least 3 kinds of dijon mustard on hand!