A couple of weeks ago we were invited to a BBQ by some of our Russian friends. We had a lot of delicious food, memories, fun and laughter. So it was just like with any other get together with friends :) The only difference was that a lot of the food was classic Russian recipes.
Like this salad that I made for this BBQ. It's probably the most popular and traditional salad in Russia for holidays, get together's and other big and small celebrations. It's called "Olivier" Belgian Lucien Olivier, the chef of the Hermitage, one of Moscow's most celebrated restaurants. It comes to no surprise that the original recipe was not just expensive and very complicated but mostly lost. Over the years the ingredients were replaced by cheaper and more popular ones, and what we call "Olivier" right now only faintly resembles the creation by the famous chef.
It's a Russian version of a potato salad.
SALAD OLIVIER.
You will need:
4-5 potatoes
2 big carrots
1-1.5 cup cooked chopped ham
3 dill pickles
1 can green peas
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Black pepper to taste
How-to:
1. Boil (don't peel!) carrots and potatoes. Cool down to room temperature, then remove skin. Dice into small cubes.
2. Now dice pickles.
3. Drain peas. Mix all the ingredients together, add mayo, season with pepper. Cool in a fridge until ready to serve.
There are different variations of this salad. You can replace ham with chicken (another popular version) or just chopped cooked hot dogs, use fresh cucumbers instead of pickled. Lots of people also add eggs but I don't like it much. Last, you can add chopped green onions or dill but this is not that popular.
What are your favorite versions of potato salad?
I shared this recipe at: Frugal Follies, My Turn (for us),
Mop It Mondays Marvelous Mondays Homemaker on a Dime
Loves Bakes Good Cakes Hungry Little Girl
The Mandatory Mooch Six Sister's Stuff
Your potatoe salad looks tasty. might give it a try.
ReplyDeleteCarolx
Let me know how you like it :)
DeleteWe had the salad with our tea tonight. It was delish.
DeleteCarolx
I'm glad you liked it :)
DeleteDo you usually use sweet pickles or dill pickles?
ReplyDeleteDill! I'll change it in a recipe :)
DeleteThat sounds similar to a potato salad we have back home. It has potatoes (no skin) diced with carrots and eggs. You put diced onions to rest with vinegar for a bit to tame off the taste, then drain and add to the salad with mayo and black pepper. There's a fancier version that adds apples and raisins, but I don't like that as much. I do like the addition of ham and pickles to yours!
ReplyDeleteYum, your version with onions sound really good!
Deletethat's what we call it in Italy! a Russian salad...but I had a Russian friend once and he told me in Russia they call it an Italian salad...go figure. I still call it Russian salad!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I've never heard anybody in Russia to call it Italian :) But than it's not much Russian either :)
Delete:) Here in Finland we call this "Italian" (instead of potato there might be cooked pasta)
ReplyDeleteNow that you mentioned it, it reminded me of a salad I tried when I visited Finland years ago!!
DeleteIt's been awhile since I've made potato salad, especially customized for my own tastes. If I remember correctly, I like it with dill relish and finely shredded carrots. Plus the normal mayo, mustard, potato, eggs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, normal mayo is a must! Well, I actually discovered Winco Lite brand, and it's honestly the best mayo I've ever tried here in the States. In Russia mayonnaise is so much creamier, I miss it!
DeleteSo colorful and tasty sounding. I love potato salad, but have never put carrots in it before. Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteMmm, this sounds tasty! I have to keep this in mind for the next gathering I have to take food to.
ReplyDeleteHeidi’s Wanderings
stopping by from All My Bloggy Friends...this looks so darn good and I know will be a big hit. Going to pin.
ReplyDeletePinned! I had something like this in Guatemala and always wanted the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/frivolous-friday-asparagus-sausage-cream-breakfast-pastry/
Yummy! Thanks for joining Creative Bloggers' Party & HOp :)
ReplyDeleteI remember eating this and I loved it! thanks for posting it. I too miss the Russian mayo, its much better.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so delicious and I love the Russian twist, Lena - never had something similar as a salad :-) Thank you for sharing at our All My Bloggy Friends Party !
ReplyDeleteLinda
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