• To make the dressing, whisk together all the dry ingredients (chives, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper) in a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk if needed, and dash of hot sauce if using. Adjust seasonings. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Cook the potatoes:

• Boil cut potatoes in salted boiling water until they easily fall from a knife pierced into them. Allow to cool, then dice and place in a large bowl.

Cook the eggs:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil (large enough to accommodate all the eggs in a single layer). As soon as the water boils, gently add the eggs. Set a timer for 9 minutes. Bring back to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Meanwhile set up a bowl of ice water, large enough to accommodate all the eggs. When the eggs are done, use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice water. Peel and chop when cool enough to handle.

Cook the macaroni:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, drain, then rinse with cold water and set aside.

Make the sauce:

• In a small bowl mix together the sauce ingredients. Add the onion, eggs, carrots, peas, and macaroni to the bowl with the potatoes. Mix in dressing until thoroughly combined. Check seasonings.

• Preheat your oven to 450°F.
• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, or in the bowl of a food processor.
• Cut the butter into chunks and cut into the flour until it resembles course meal.
• If using a food processor, just pulse a few times until this consistency is achieved.
• Add the buttermilk and mix JUST until combined.
• If it appears on the dry side, add a bit more buttermilk. It should be very wet.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured board.
• Gently, gently PAT (do NOT roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it's about 1/2" thick. Fold the dough about 5 times, gently press the dough down to a 1 inch thick.
• Use a round cutter to cut into rounds.
• You can gently knead the scraps together and make a few more, but they will not be anywhere near as good as the first ones.
• Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet- if you like soft sides, put them touching each other.
• If you like"crusty" sides, put them about 1 inch apart- these will not rise as high as the biscuits put close together.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes- the biscuits will be a beautiful light golden brown on top and bottom.