The Family Supper Table and a Spring Potato Salad Recipe

“There is no occasion when meals should become totally unimportant. Meals can be very small indeed, very inexpensive, short times taken in the midst of a big push of work, but they should be always more than just food.” 

~ Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Once again, I’m here to share the good and noble tidings of a family supper… If a homemaker was going to have one goal of the day, this would be mine.

I remember the younger years as I cleaned little messes throughout the home, changed diapers, attempted laundry and a tidy kitchen. All of these things were the precursor of the most important event of the day… when the dinner table was set, when father came home, when the family is rejoined in prayer around the meal that mother took all the day long to prepare (you are quite right to think it shouldn’t and didn’t take all the day long to prepare, however, everything throughout the day was planned and arranged so this glorious moment would actually happen - so in a way this is so).

Everyone in the household knew a special time awaited them. They knew a meal would be lovingly made (however simple) and presented on the table with dishes, napkins and sparkling utensils. But most importantly, was the undivided attention given to one another.

And this, is what my whole day in the home essentially revolves around to this very day (even with my adult family)… bringing us all back to the table each evening for fellowship with one another and our heavenly Creator. 

Amidst the toil of home keeping, the energy of child raising, the time spent homeschooling… always in the background whispers the daily question… what is to be for dinner? And what needs to be done throughout the day to make it happen as peacefully as possible?

For it is the picture of a family heritage, a family covenant and the precursor of the most important and holy family reunion of all time.

The heavenly one…

“Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

~ Revelations 19:9

Spring Potato (and/or Macaroni) Salad Recipe

• 32 oz. cooked/cooled Macaroni (or approx. 14 c. peeled, boiled, cooled 1/2” cubed potatoes*) 
• 1 small can sliced black olives (drained) 
• 1 small can chopped black olives (drained) 
• 2 small jars pimentos (undrained) 
• 2 stocks celery (chopped fine) 
• 6 chopped pickles (more may be added later for more tartness) 
• 8 - 10 shredded hard boiled eggs 
• 3 stocks thinly sliced chives 
• 6 shredded radishes 
• mayonnaise to taste and texture (32 oz. jar, start with half the jar)***
• seasoned salt, salt & pepper (to taste) 
• dill (dry or fresh to taste) 
• onion powder (to taste) 
• cayenne pepper (to taste) 
• garnish: sprinkle of paprika on final product 
• optional: squirt of mustard for more tang
• optional garnish: rose radish with parsley leaves 

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Start off with half the jar of mayonnaise and add more as necessary according to taste and texture. Season according to taste as well. Once the mixture is to your liking, sprinkle with paprika for a final finish. 

Chill the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

This can be made a day ahead of time for convenience.

* When making potato salad, make sure to cube the boiled potatoes in a smaller 1/2” size. This allows for more flavor to envelop the pieces. Larger chunks do not taste as seasoned. 

** The amount of mayonnaise is key in this recipe. Too dry of a salad isn’t appetizing while too “wet” of a salad is quite overwhelming. I like to start with 1/2 jar and continue to stir until the consistency is moist without being overdone. 

*** I like to use the Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods mayonnaise which is made with avocado oil (which I feel has healthier ingredients).

Here is a printable recipe should you like to add it to your Recipe Book!

Related Reading:

-- Weekly Menu Planner and the "Ten O'Clock Principle" Tip

-- Homemaking Helps for the Homeschooling Mother

-- Sacred Suppers