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Garden Russian Salad

17/11/2023

The Russian Salad, also called Olivier Salad in Italy, is a dish that usually contains vegetables and other ingredients bound with mayonnaise. Here I propose a vegetable version of the Russian Salad, which I’ll call “Garden Russian Salad,” ideal for those who love fresh vegetables and are looking for a lighter option compared to the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium potatoes
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 small white onion
  • 150 g of frozen peas
  • 150 g of green beans
  • Fresh parsley to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • White wine vinegar (optional)
  • Vegetable mayonnaise (you can also prepare it at home with soy milk, lemon, salt, and sunflower seed oil)

Preparation

  1. Start by washing the potatoes and carrots thoroughly. Cook them in plenty of salted water starting from cold, to prevent them from breaking. Cooking times are about 20-30 minutes from boiling, but check with the tip of a knife that they are soft in the center.
  2. In the meantime, cut the green beans into 2-3 cm pieces and blanch them in salted water for 5-8 minutes, depending on their freshness and size.
  3. In another pot, cook the frozen peas for about 5-7 minutes.
  4. When the potatoes and carrots are cooked, drain them and let them cool. Then, peel and dice them.
  5. Also drain the green beans and peas well.
  6. Finely chop the white onion and parsley.
  7. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, adjusting for salt and pepper.
  8. Add the vegetable mayonnaise and mix gently to avoid breaking the vegetables. If necessary, adjust acidity with a splash of white wine vinegar.
  9. Put in the fridge for at least an hour before serving, to allow the flavors to meld.

For a more local touch, instead of classic mayonnaise, you can use a vegetable “tonnato” sauce, typical of Piedmont, which you can make with blended tofu, a splash of oil, some capers, and lemon juice to emulate the taste of tuna, or a green sauce based on parsley for a fragrant and fresh alternative.

Curiosity

Russian Salad has many variations all over the world and its origin dates back to the 19th century in Russia, created by the French chef Olivier. In Italy, it is a classic for holidays and is often present in the buffets of special occasions.

Garden Russian Salad