Olivier (Stolichny salad, Russian salad, hussar salad, winter salad)

Meat Salads | Russian

Olivier salad is known as "Russian salad" outside of Russia. What is this if not its recognition as the main and most favorite salad in the territory of Russia? This is a very hearty salad of vegetables dressed with mayonnaise. Its recipes vary, but the main ingredients of Olivier in its modern version include potatoes, carrots, eggs, salted, fresh or pickled cucumbers, onions, canned green peas and meat (it can be boiled chicken, beef tongue, boiled ham or sausage - Russian analogue of mortadella). The salad was named Olivier in honor of its creator, chef of French origin Lucien Olivier who owned the Hermitage restaurant of Parisian cuisine in Moscow in the early 60s of the XIX century. However, it has nothing to do with the French cuisine (Olivier is rather something similar to the German potato salad). It was initially prepared with hazel grouses, crayfish tails and capers. The modern recipe developed in the Soviet times. Olivier is the main Russian dish for the New Year's table.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise – 200 g
fresh or pickled cucumbers – 4 pcs.
onion – 2 bulbs
boiled chicken breasts – 3 pcs.
potatoes boiled in their jackets – 6 pcs.
ham or cooked meat – 100 g
hard-boiled eggs – 6 pcs.
canned green peas – 1 tin
greens for serving

Preparation method (receipt)

Peel potatoes and eggs, cut into small cubes. Cut cucumbers, onions, chicken, ham or meat into cubes of the same size. This is necessary for the salad to be well soaked with mayonnaise and become tender and light. Put all these ingredients in a salad bowl, add green peas. Season with mayonnaise and stir. Depending on the season and if desired, you can garnish the salad with green onions, parsley and dill.

mayonnaise pickled cucumbers onion chicken breasts potato ham cooked meat eggs green peas