Ermagerd – summer is here, the hot weather is here and BBQ SEASON IS HERE!!!!  I just love a bbq – the meat, the sides, the smells, the beer…..the whole frickin chills of it all! It’s just a chance to sit in the sun and talk shit with your mates till you’re freezing your ass off.

It’s now June and in Northern Ireland the hot weather is blessing us and regardless of the temperature, people all over the land are firing up their BBQs, wearing a fleece jacket if needs be. Frig it, if the sun’s out, it’s ok.

My mum does an absolutely EPIC bbq that consists of your traditional burgers and sausages, alongside some new favourites like a butterflied leg of lamb, some beaut avoca-style salads and spatchcock chicken. And maybe it’s because someone else is making it, but her bbqs are always so delicious.

While I LOVE the meat on offer at mum’s, the sides are also top of my happy list. I’m very into side dishes and can load my plate with them, just as easy as the meat on offer.

What I’m offering you here, is a side dish that’s super easy, super tasty and loved by kids and adults alike – despite some of the ingredients involved – I find that if people don’t know what’s in a dish, they are more likely to enjoy it. Tell them that there are capers and gherkins in this dish, and they wont even try it. Say nothing, and you have an empty bowl on your hands. My young nieces really liked this dish and went back for second helpings – that’s right, I’m winning at life.

I absolutely love a potato salad, but this version is pimped out and is soooooo bloody good with BBQ food. I LOOSLY call this a Russian Potato Salad as it has many references and nods to that dish, but I’ve made it mega simple so that the flavours are great, and the stress levels are low! Purests among you relax – I know I’ve not kept to script on this one!

I’ve left a few additions out of this as I didn’t have them to hand, but you can throw frankfurters into this, peas, dill, mustard, carrot – whatever you want really. There are many variations of this dish, so don’t get hung up on the details. Just put in what you like! 

Alright let’s go

Russian potato salad

• 1.5kg potatoes
• 4 eggs
• 5 tbsp. mayo
• 12 mini gherkins, chopped
• 2 tbsp. capers, chopped
• s+p

Method

1. Cut the potatoes into 1-2inch cubes and boil in salted water until tender, drain and cool
2. Boil the eggs for around 7 minutes until hard boiled, drain the eggs then peel and chop into large chunks (they will break up more as you mix them through)
3. Add the potatoes and eggs to a large bowl along with the mayo, gherkins, capers and salt and pepper and give it all a good mix.
4. That’s it!