Warm Russian Salad Food

WARM RUSSIAN

Steps:

• Combine the vodka, brandy, coffee liqueur and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Pour into 2 shot glasses and serve with a pinch of cinnamon.

WARM RUSSIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Put a very large saucepan of salted water on to boil. Cut the potatoes to marshmallow size, the carrots and celery into dice about two-thirds that size; and the French beans into 2cm/3⁄4in pieces.
• Add the vegetables in turn to the pan of boiling water, starting with the potatoes and ending with the peas. Cook until they are all just tender (neither crunchy, nor fondant). Drain and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, make the hollandaise. Put the egg yolks, vinegar and lemon juice into a blender and whizz for a few seconds. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a lowish heat, then raise the temperature and bring the butter to a bubble. Leave the pan to one side for a minute to allow the milky residue to settle.
• With the blender going, slowly pour a thin stream of butter through the lid. Continue adding the golden liquid until the milky sediment appears (discard it). Remove the lid, season the sauce and whizz for a few more seconds. Replace the lid and keep the hollandaise in a warm place (but NOT over direct heat) for up to 30 minutes.
• Tip the warm vegetables into a large mixing bowl and add the gherkins and (optional) capers. Very, very gently stir in the sauce, using a soft plastic scraper. Serve as soon as possible.

RUSSIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cut all the vegetables into small dice (leave peas and corn whole).
• Transfer everything to a large bowl and stir carefully to combine.
• Adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper to taste.
• Put in a pretty bowl and spread over top with a thin layer of mayonnaise to'frost'.
• Decorate with some cooked carrot strips, sliced olives, capers and gherkin strips.

AUTHENTIC RUSSIAN SALAD 'OLIVYE'

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add potatoes and carrot. Return mixture to a boil and add eggs; cook until potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and slightly cool mixture. Chop potatoes and carrot; peel and chop eggs.
• Mix potatoes, carrot, eggs, pickles, peas, ham, and parsley together in a large bowl; stir in mayonnaise until salad is evenly coated.

RUSSIAN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until a fork can be easily inserted and removed, about 20 minutes. Drain and cool slightly. During the last 10 minutes, boil the hot dogs and eggs. Drain everything, and set aside to cool.
• Peel the potatoes, and cut into cubes. Chop hot dogs. Place everything in a large bowl, and mix in the pickles, onions and peas. Peel the eggs, and grate them on top of the salad. Add mayonnaise and salt to individual servings.

EASY RUSSIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the carrots and potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for 4 mins, then throw in the peas and cook for 4 mins more until all the vegetables are tender. Drain, cool for a few mins, then tip into a bowl with the cornichons, mayonnaise and parsley, if using. Mix well and season to taste. Delicious with leftover roast beef or lamb, wedges of pork pie or cold sliced ham or chicken.