Watch Bittman Make Sweet Potato Salad - Foodie Flicks

Whether you read the New York Times or not, you know Mark Bittman. He's the Minimalist, the man who's vegan until dinner and the popular writer who has published a number of ultra-handy cookbooks. Recently, he wrote a blog post about Sweet Potato Salad, taking the predictable white-potato-and-mayonnaise variety and turning it into healthy, colorful fare. Thanks to YouTube, you can watch him make it.

This is not your everyday cooking show. I mean, the guy turns pitas into turntables! But he gets down to business -- after a hilarious rap-star opener -- and relays the intricacies of his sweet potato salad. Rather than slopping a whole bunch of mayo in a bowl with veggies, this salad gets an updated oil-and-lime splash with some spicy Southern sass.

And maybe it's less than hygienic, but I dug watching him dip his finger into the dressing, licking it and then just wiping it on a tea towel. It's not the most PC prep etiquette, but it's a lot more realistic than 20 shots of the cook cleaning his hands.

Has Bittman charmed you with his modern potato salad? Tell us in the comments.