MACARONI AND POTATO SALAD

Macaroni and Potato Salad image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 large all-purpose potatoes, (2 pounds), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for cooking water
2 cups sugar-snap peas, (6 ounces)
1/4 pound elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and drained
1 pound sliced bacon
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Homemade Mayonnaise, or prepared
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, torn into pieces

Steps:

Place potatoes in a small stockpot, and cover with cold salted water. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high, and gently boil the potatoes until fork-tender, about 7 minutes. Drain in a colander, and set aside in a large bowl to cool.
Fill a small saucepan with salted water, and bring to a boil. Add the snap peas, and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Drain, and transfer peas to a bowl of ice water until cool. Drain again, slice peapods in half crosswise diagonally, and add to potatoes along with cooked macaroni.
In a large skillet, cook bacon until all the fat is rendered out and bacon is very crisp. Remove bacon from skillet, and set aside to drain on paper towels. When bacon is cool, crumble, and add three-quarters of it to potato mixture; set aside remaining bacon.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over potato mixture, add mint, and toss to combine. Transfer macaroni-and-potato salad to a serving dish, sprinkle top with remaining bacon, and serve immediately, or cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.