“Оливье”(Olivier Potato Salad)
By: ERKIN ESENGELDIEV
Staff Writer
Hello! This is your beloved exchange student right here to share more interesting and unusual recipes from my culture. Today’s dish is – Оливье ([Oliviye]) or Olivier Potato Salad.
What is Oliviye?
Olivier salad is a traditional Slavic potato salad made with finely diced potatoes, carrots, pickles, boiled eggs, sweet peas, onions, and bologna or ham, all tossed with a simple dressing of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Typically, you’ll find it served at family gatherings or on holidays. If you grew up in a Post-Soviet country, you likely have memories of eating a big bowl of it on Christmas.
It is one of the most (if not the most) popular salads in any Post-USSR country, let alone my country, Kyrgyzstan. Oliviye is loved by many families, as it is easy to make, faster to make, and most importantly – it tastes amazing. This salad is the perfect balance of tangy and savory, with a rich texture which in total makes for a dish that will never be in need of an expiration date – because you will eat it as soon as it’s done!
How to make:
- Boil the Carrots, Potatoes, & Eggs: In a large pot, boil the carrots and potatoes until they are easily pierced with a fork. Next, boil the eggs. Set the ingredients aside to cool at room temperature.
- Dice the Salad Ingredients: With a sharp knife, dice the onions, carrots, potatoes, eggs, and bologna/ham into small cubes. In a large bowl, mix the finely diced ingredients with the peas. Stir with a spoon until well combined.
- Toss with Dressing: Toss the salad ingredients with the mayo and season to taste with salt and pepper. Optionally, you can sprinkle in some fresh dill for a pop of flavor and color. Enjoy!
