Japanese Potato Salad (With Apple!) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb russet potato
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced in a teaspoon of salt (see directions)
1/2 small sweet onion, thinly sliced (see directions)
1 teaspoon yellow mustard (a touch of Dijon mustard is also nice)
3 ham slices, cut into small squares (sandwich meat slices)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use Kewpie brand or Miracle Whip)
1 -2 slice fuji apple (about 1/8 inch slices)

Preparation

Boil the unpeeled potatoes. Meanwhile, cut the cucumber lengthwise and remove the seeds (or use english cucumbers and skip this step.)
Cut the cucumber into thin slices and place them in a small bowl. Add one teaspoon salt and mix well; set aside.
Cut the onion into paper thin slices and soak them in cold water until you're ready to use them.
When the potatoes are done, remove the skins and cut the potatoes lenghtwise, then cut them into pieces about 1 inch wide.
Wash the cucumber with water and squeeze out the water out. Also squeeze water from the onion. Place the potatoes, cucumber and onion slices, ham and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Optional: Add julienned carrots for more color.