Ensaladilla Russa Russian Salad Recipes

THE BEST RUSSIAN SALAD (ENSALADILLA RUSA, ESTRELLA DE PLATA)

Steps:

• Make the salad: Place the potatoes, carrot and turnip in a medium-size saucepan. Add water to cover by 2 inches, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until all the vegetables feel tender when pierced with a skewer, about 15 minutes for the carrot and turnip, a bit longer for the potatoes.
• As the vegetables become soft, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl. Take care not to over cook.
• Bring the water back to a boil, add the green beans, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes (they should be neither al dente or overcooked). Drain the beans, blot them dry with paper towels and set aside. Let the vegetables cool to room temperature.
• Peel the potatoes, carrot and turnip, then cut them into small dice and transfer to a mixing bowl.
• Cut the green beans into a 3/4-inch lengths and add them to the bowl with the diced vegetables. Then add the peas, tuna, roasted peppers and the 2 chopped eggs. Using a sturdy fork, mash the salad until it has a chunky-creamy consistency.
• Make the dressing: Place the olives, anchovies, 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise, and 3 tablespoons water in a blender and process until a medium-fine paste forms. Stir the olive mixture into the the salad.
• Place the remaining maynnaise and the lemon juice into a small bowl and whisk to mix, then stir into the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you'd like the salad to be moister, add more mayo.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the salad stand for about 2 hours. (You can make the salad up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate it and let it come to room temperature before serving). To serve, spoon the salad on a shallow serving dish and garnish with the grated egg.

ENSALADILLA RUSA - SPANISH POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Scrub the potatoes to clean off any lose dirt and sand.
• Pour water into a large pot, cover and bring to a boil on high heat.
• Place potatoes in the pot and boil them with skins on until they are cooked, but not too soft.
• Test the doneness by pricking with a fork to make sure they are cooked, but still firm. Don't overcook the potatoes or when mixing the salad, you'll end up with mashed potatoes!
• Hard boil the eggs.
• Drain the water from the potato pot and add cold water to the pot, covering the potatoes.
• Change every few minutes until the potatoes are cool enough to handle with your bare hands.
• Refrigerate for a few minutes to cool further.
• Put approximately 1 1/2 cups of mayonnaise into a bowl.
• Slice 1 of the roasted pepper into strips about 1/3 inch wide, then cut into smaller pieces and add to bowl.
• Drain tuna thoroughly, then crumble with a fork and add to bowl.
• Drain carrots and peas and add to bowl.
• Peel 1 egg, chop and add to bowl.
• Mix all ingredients together.
• Add the mayonnaise mixture to the potatoes and mix thoroughly.
• If necessary, add more mayonnaise.
• Smooth top of potato salad, preparing for decoration.
• Slice remaining red pepper into thin strips and arrange on top of salad.
• Drain the white asparagus and slice hard-boiled eggs carefully. Use both to decorate the salad.