Backyard barbecues, family reunions, and the ubiquitous potluck all have one thing in common: Someone is bound to bring potato salad. To get these tubers just right, you always want to place them in cold water and then bring them to a boil. This may not be what you want to hear when you are trying to make this dish quickly, but it will provide you with the kind of results that give you bragging rights over everyone else's potato salad. When they are placed in boiling water, the outside of the potato cooks while the inside remains undercooked. Covering them with cold water and bringing them to a gentle and gradual boil allows for an even cook and reduces the risk of a mushy bite, which potato salad lovers despise.