Picture this: you’re sitting at the dinner table with your American husband, who’s convinced that the only good food in the world comes from the good ol’ US of A. You, on the other hand, know better. You know that there’s a whole world of delicious cuisine out there just waiting to be discovered. And today, you’re going to introduce him to one of your favorites: Portuguese Salada Russa.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Salad? Really? That’s what you’re going to use to convince him that Portuguese food is amazing?” But hear me out. This isn’t just any salad. This is Salada Russa, a colorful and tasty dish that’s packed with flavor and history.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Salada Russa, let me give you a quick rundown. It’s a classic Portuguese dish that’s made with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans, all mixed together with mayonnaise and garnished with hard-boiled eggs and parsley. It’s simple, but oh so delicious.
But here’s the thing: Salada Russa isn’t just a tasty dish. It’s also a dish with a story. You see, Salada Russa (which literally translates to “Russian Salad”) actually originated in Russia in the 19th century. It was created by a chef named Lucien Olivier, who served it at his restaurant in Moscow. The dish became incredibly popular and eventually made its way to other parts of Europe, including Portugal.
So why am I telling you all this? Well, because I think it’s important to understand the history and origins of the food we eat. It adds an extra layer of appreciation and enjoyment to the experience. Plus, it’s always fun to impress your dinner guests with some fun food trivia.
But enough about history. Let’s get back to the present and talk about why Salada Russa is such an amazing dish. For starters, it’s incredibly versatile. It can be served as an appetizer or side dish, or even as a main course if you add some protein like ham or chicken. It’s also perfect for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to a fancy dinner party.
But most importantly (at least in my opinion), Salada Russa is just plain delicious. The combination of tender vegetables and creamy mayonnaise is a match made in heaven. And when you add in the hard-boiled eggs and parsley for garnish? Perfection.
So there you have it: my ode to Portuguese Salada Russa. I hope I’ve convinced you (and my American husband) that this humble salad is worth trying. Who knows? It might just become your new favorite dish.
Ingredients
- 1.1 lbs of potatoes (5 medium units), peeled and cubed
- 10.6 oz of carrots, peeled and cubed
- 2 eggs
- 10.6 oz of frozen peas
- 8.8 oz of green beans (round or other), trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chives or parsley, chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Place the potatoes and carrots in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
- In another pot, cook the peas and green beans in boiling salted water for about 10 minutes.
- Drain the vegetables and let cool.
- In a separate pot, boil the eggs for 10 minutes in boiling water with a teaspoon of salt. Peel and chop the eggs, reserving half for garnish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cooked vegetables, chopped eggs, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Before serving, let the salad sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Garnish with chives or parsley and reserved egg.
Notes
- Consider adding some diced pickles or capers to the salad for a tangy flavor. These ingredients will add a nice contrast to the creamy mayonnaise and tender vegetables.
- Another way to enhance the flavor of this salad is to use homemade mayonnaise instead of store-bought. Homemade mayonnaise is richer in taste and can be customized to your liking.
- If you’re looking to add some protein to this salad, try adding some diced ham or cooked chicken. These ingredients will make the salad more filling and satisfying.
- Fresh herbs such as dill or tarragon can also be used to add more flavor to this salad. Chop up some fresh herbs and mix them into the salad for a burst of flavor.
- Finally, consider adding some diced red bell pepper for color and crunch. Red bell pepper will add a pop of color to the salad and provide a nice crunchy texture.