Sichuan Spicy Shredded Potato Salad

Get ready to meet your new favorite summer side dish! If you think potato salad has to be a heavy, creamy affair, this vibrant recipe will completely change your mind. This is a refreshingly light, crisp, and incredibly addictive potato salad that comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s a brilliant example of how simple ingredients can create a flavor explosion. The core technique is blanching, which quickly cooks the potato shreds so they remain wonderfully crisp-tender, almost like noodles. The real magic happens in the dressing, a classic Sichuan flavor combination known as “mala” — a one-two punch of numbing tingle from Sichuan peppercorns and fiery heat from chili oil, all balanced with savory and aromatic notes. It’s unbelievably easy to make, even for beginners, and the result is a zesty, appetite-whetting dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe. To create this delightful dish, you’ll need a handful of ingredients, most of which you might already have or can easily find. Here’s your shopping list: For the Salad: Potatoes: 3 medium-sized potatoes. Waxy varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best as they hold their shape beautifully and won’t turn mushy. Cilantro: 1 small bunch, for a fresh, herbal note. Green Onions (Scallions): 2 stalks, to add a mild, crisp bite. For the Dressing: Light Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon. This is your primary source of salty, savory flavor. Any standard all-purpose soy sauce will do. Dark Soy Sauce: 1 teaspoon. This is mainly for color, giving the potatoes a beautiful amber hue and adding a subtle hint of molasses-like sweetness. If you don’t have it, you can skip it or add a tiny bit more light soy sauce. Toasted Sesame Oil: About ½ teaspoon. Just a few drops are needed as its nutty aroma is quite…