Juniper's Macaroni Salad

Memorial Day weekend is a big picnic weekend and picnics and Macaroni Salad go together like peanut butter and jelly. I'm kind of famous within my husband's fishing group for my macaroni salad, and my Gramma was famous in our little town for her macaroni salad that she made for the local store's deli. She just passed away this week and I thought this would be a fitting tribute. I don't measure when I make this, but I tried to estimate. You can add more or less to your own taste.

Let's make... Juniper's Macaroni Salad!


Ingredients:

1 lb box macaroni (I like Barilla because I like those little ridges on the noodles that hold the dressing) I use this same recipe for Potato Salad. Just substitute 5 lbs. of potatoes you boil skin on then peel and chunk.
1 dozen eggs, hard boiled and shelled (I place eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, then turn off and let sit, with a lid for 15 mins. No green yolks!)
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
2 1/2 cups Hellman's mayonnaise
1 T. yellow mustard
1 T. horseradish (secret ingredient!)
1 t. celery seed
2 t. salt
1 t. pepper
2 t. Frank's Red Hot Sauce (secret ingredient!)

Cook macaroni according to directions, drain and let cool.

Meanwhile, mix mayo, mustard, celery seed, horseradish, salt, pepper and hot sauce.



Cut eggs in half and reserve yolks in a separate bowl. Cut the whites into large chunks and add to the macaroni along with celery and onion.



Mash yolks and add to the mayonnaise mixture (this is one of the secrets, shhh!). You get a nice, rich dressing that is reminiscent of deviled eggs.



Combine the wet and dry ingredients and sprinkle with paprika. Taste and adjust seasonings. You may like yours wetter and you can add more mayo at this point.



Now, don't start complaining about all the eggs and mayo and all the fat, blah, blah, blah...Picnics are parties and we only take the time to make macaroni salad a few times a year. Lots of eggs is the difference between so-so and standout macaroni salad. So, suck it up and eat it and enjoy it and continue on with your life. You have all next week to exercise and watch your diet! Holidays and parties are our times to laugh, and eat, and live life and enjoy with friends and family!

You still have time to link up to win a couture camera strap for Tutorial Tuesday!