Styrian Potato Salad

Styria is a state (Bundesland) of Austria. It's located in the south-east of Austria and famous for its apples and pumpkins. Pumpkin seed oil originated in Styria, but is now known and loved all over Austria. It's dark brown-green in color and rich and delicious in taste. 

Whenever you read "Styrian salad" on an Austrian menu, it's prepared with pumpkin seed oil.

For 4 Servings: 

• 750 grams waxy potatoes
• 1 large white onion
• 150 millilitres vegetable stock
• 3 table spoons vegetable oil (I usually use rapeseed oil) 
• 3 table spoons pumpkin seed oil
• 3 table spoons brandy vinegar
• 3 table spoons pumpkin seeds
• salt
• black pepper

Cook the potatos for 20-30 minutes in a lot of water. Cut the onion into very small dices. Mix the marinade using the vegetable stock, the vegetable oil, the brandy vinegar, salt, black pepper and the diced onion.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Fold the potatoes in the marinade and let it sit for a couple of minutes to cool down as much you like. Traditionally Austrian potato salad is served warm, but it's also delicious when it's cold. If necessary, add some more salt and pepper.

Sprinkle pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds on top.

Vegetable Salad

This salad is popular all over the Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Israel. It goes by the name "vegetable salad", "Arabian salad", "Israeli salad". 

It is really easy and fast to prepare and tastes great with both Middle Eastern and European dishes and especcially all kinds of grilled meat.

Serves 4 as a side dish: 

• 200 grams red cherry tomatoes
• 200 grams yellow cherry tomatoes 
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 red onion
• 1 handfull fresh parsley leaves
• 2 lemons
• 1 garlic clove
• salt
• black pepper
• 2 table spoons olive oil 

Squeeze juice out of one lemon. Chop garlic clove. In a salad bowl mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper and chopped garlic. Cut the vegetables (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion) into small pieces and add to the bowl. Cut parsley and add to the bowl and stir it.
Serve with slices of lemon. 

If you like it hot, you can add some fresh chili peppers or pepperocini.

Enjoy your meal!