Appetizers/ Russian Monday/ Zakusky

Russian Monday: Salad “Olivier” – Potato Salad

Even though in every Russian family Olivier salad is made in their own way with some secret ingredient, like grandma used to do it, let’s try to remember  where this dish came from and give thanks to the Russian chief of French origin named Lucien Olivier who invented the salad any New Years table seems empty without.

Famous salad Olivier has been coined by the chef Lucien Olivier in 1860s. Lucien has been not only a cook, but he also owned “Hermitage” restaurant at Trubnaya Square in Moscow. His restaurant could easily compete with any Parisian establishment. His crown dish was the famous salad nicknamed after him which recipe he kept in complete secrecy. After chefs passing story of his dish got surrounded by rumors and the recipe was considered lost. There were many attempts to find Olivier’s records, but nobody was able to do it.

In 1904 few chefs have recovered the recipe based on their knowledge of main ingredients. The following ingredients were on the list: pressed caviar (0.25 lbs), two grouses, veal tongue, boiled crayfish – 25 pc, soy – 0.5 can, 2 cucumbers, green salad leaves – 0.5 lbs, assorted pickled vegetables – 0.5 can, capers – 0.25 lbs, 5 hard-boiled eggs. Sauce required French vinegar, two eggs and province olive oil (i.e. province mayo).

Now, this salad is prepared based on many recipes.

My recipe was very popular in St.Petersburg, it has chicken or can be cooked with any other bird meat. Another name for this version of Olivier is “Capitol salad” (Stolichniy Salad). This dish is very popular it is an absolute favorite on every New Year feast table. Bon appetite and happy New Year!

For more Russian recipes, visit Russian Cuisine page.

Salad "Olivier" - Potato Salad

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Serves: 5-6

Ingredients

  • 5 medium yellow potatoes
  • 3 medium carrots
  • 3 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, chopped
  • 3 scallions, diced
  • 4 chicken thighs, cooked, no skin, very finely chopped (or other cooked bird meat)
  • 1 (15 ounces) can peas, drained
  • 3-4 small dill pickles, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • fresh dill (optional)

Instructions

1

Place the potatoes and carrots (don't peel them) into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. Let it cool. When the vegetables are cool, peel them and dice them into a large bowl.

2

Next step is easy, just add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Place the salad in a salad serving plate or individual glass bowls. Sprinkle with a fresh dill.

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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Bernadeta
    December 29, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    nice. this is a typical Polish salad without chicken only.

  • Reply
    Rosa's Yummy Yums
    December 29, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    This salad looks so good and wonderfully festive!

    Best wishes for the New Year!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • Reply
    Rebecca Subbiah
    December 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    wonderful happy new year

  • Reply
    La Table De Nana
    December 30, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Our youngest grandson is named Olivier so I love this already..Looks wonderful Yelena..
    Happy New year to you:)

  • Reply
    sky_ dream
    December 30, 2014 at 5:16 am

    Прекрасный салат. Имея возможность сделать другие, возвращаюсь к нему.
    Хочу поздравить Вас с наступающим Новым годом. Желаю здоровья, счастья и благополучия.

  • Reply
    Te de Ternura
    December 30, 2014 at 6:38 am

    QUERIDA YELENA, me ha encantado tu ENSALADA de patata. El día de año nuevo voy a prepararla; pero ya que he dejado la carne atrás, la prepararé con salmón y creo que funcionará bien.
    UNA DESPEDIDA DE AÑO LLENA DE BUENOS MOMENTOS Y UNA ENTRADA DE 2015 PROPÍCIA PARA LA SALUD, EL BIENESTAR Y EL AMOR.
    Un abrazo enorme:))))))
    Conxita

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    December 31, 2014 at 5:29 am

    I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas Yelena and that the New Year ahead is wonderfully prosperous and good to you 🙂

  • Reply
    Zorica Pavlovic
    December 31, 2014 at 6:52 am

    I love this salad and we always make it for New Year celebration. Happy New Year!!!

  • Reply
    This is it
    December 31, 2014 at 8:27 am

    I am busy making your Medovnik, and was just scrolling through your Russian recipes out of curiosity. The Medovnik is going really well BTW.

    My Russian mother-in-law taught me to make this, mine is never as good as hers, but it's getting there. Its always a long production when she makes it – I think I lack her patience.

    I see from your recipe that her ingredient list differs from your as she adds dark mustard and apples to her salad. But this salad is amazing in any form.

  • Reply
    Angie Schneider
    January 1, 2015 at 11:44 am

    A marvelous salad! My potato salad has never looked so appetizing and pretty.
    Happy New Year, Yelena!
    Angie

  • Reply
    La Table De Nana
    January 2, 2015 at 12:30 am

    Bonjour Yelena..

    You can get the Norpro Jelly Strainer at Amazon.ca:)
    Indipensable:)x

  • Reply
    melangery
    January 2, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Thank you Monique!-)

  • Reply
    Dominique Allmon
    January 2, 2015 at 8:32 am

    A very healthy and happy New Year dear Yelena! Your blog is great inspiration for me! So many great recipes and great images!

    With warm greetings – Dominique

  • Reply
    Gwen
    January 2, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    How interesting!! This is my idea of a perfect potato salad (can't stand the American version). I'm quite glad yours doesn't include veal tongue 😉

  • Reply
    Mirta Porley
    January 4, 2015 at 3:28 am

    In Uruguay know this salad as " Russian salad" and eat all the time.Excellent information and delicious recipe

  • Leave a Reply

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