Insalata Russa or Russian salad is very popular in Italy and in the eighteenth century was known as insalata genovese because it is said that it was served for the Ligurian aristocracy for gala dinners. Other legends claim that the Piedmont region of Italy invented this salad when Russian aristocracy came to visit. It is composed mainly of vegetables and mayonnaise and can be served as an antipasto as well as a salad. It is often found on Italian tables at Christmastime. There are many variations.
Serves four
Ingredients
- 2 large Red Skin or Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
- 4 medium size carrots, scraped and diced
- 1 cupfresh or frozen peas
- 4 hard-boiled eggs,cut into small pieces andinto quarters
- 1/4 cupminced parsley
- 4 sweet cucumber pickles, diced
- 1/2 cupdiced green or black olives (Cerignola or small Gaeta)
- 2 tablespoonscapers in salt, well rinsed and drained
- 1 cuplow fat mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ingredients
Directions
- Cook the potatoes in the microwave on high power until a knife easily pierces them. Cool, peel and dice. Place the potatoes in a bowl.
- Add the carrots to the potatoes along with the peas, chopped eggs, parsley,pickles, olives and capers. Gently fold in the mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste.
- Line a quart glass bowl with plastic wrap leaving an overhang. Fill the bowl with the salad, pressing it firmly. Cover the top of the bowl with the overlapped plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, unwrap the salad and invert it onto a round platter.
- Decorate the top with egg quarters and a dollop of mayonnaise.
This recipe was featured on Season 20 - Episode 2022.
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Comments
Shirley Mounty
I like how you have improved your web-site. It is 100% easier to use and find recipes than your previous ones. Thank you.
natalie b
Mary Ann’s suggestion on the show was for 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 cup plain yogurt, so that’s another alternative.
Miranda
Would like to receive your newsletter, but it does not allow me to sign up I live in Melbourne Australia.
Gloria
I can’t believe this is an Italian recipe, most Italians I know hated mayonnaise.(the old Italians)
Gloria
I can’t believe this is an Italian recipe, most Italians I know hated mayonnaise.(the old Italians)
Barbara F.
I wish you would fix the parameters so we could pin easily. Never works for me. Can it be possible with thousands of your fans I am the only one?????
Susie
You remind me slightly of the great Fanny Craddock! Manner, and expressions.
Concetta Perrotta
Do you cook the carrots? and peas or put them in raw?
