What’s for Lunch? – Olivier Salad!

Ever found yourself staring into the fridge, wondering what to whip up for lunch? That was me recently, on a chilly winter day, when inspiration struck. Why not make Olivier salad? Though I usually make it in the summer, it turns out this creamy, colourful dish is just as delightful in the middle of winter.

Olivier salad, named after the Moscow chef who created it, is a hearty mix of flavours and textures. It's vibrant, satisfying, and so simple to make that it might just become your new lunchtime favourite.

What goes into an Olivier salad?

This salad is a medley of vegetables, some soft and starchy like potatoes and carrots, others crisp like sweetcorn. There's also a lovely tang from pickled gherkins, and if you like, you can add chopped ham for extra flavour. Fancy a vegetarian version? Leave out the ham - it's just as delicious. The final touch? Chopped boiled eggs and a generous helping of mayonnaise to tie it all together.

Making Olivier salad

The only bit of cooking involved is boiling the potatoes and carrots. Chop them into small cubes (1cm), then add a pinch of salt and boil for 2-3 minutes. The key is to cook them until they're tender but still firm. Once done, drain them in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This trick helps keep their texture spot on and cools them down faster too.

While the potatoes and carrots cool, let the rest of the ingredients ready. I use canned sweetcorn and marrowfat peas, just drain and they're good to go. Chop the ham, boiled eggs, and pickled gherkins into pieces about the same size as the potatoes and carrots.

Finally, bring it all together. Spoon in mayonnaise a table spoon at a time, mixing as you go, until the salad reaches your ideal creaminess. I like it just coated, but you do you!

Why you'll love it

Olivier salad is perfect for lunch, especially on weekends when you fancy something a little more indulgent. It's creamy, tangy and loaded with textures that make every bit a treat. Whether it's a sunny summer day or a crisp winter afternoon, this salad always feels just right. I am thinking this salad could make a lovely starter for the Christmas dinner.

So, what's for lunch? Give Olivier salad a try - you might find it's the comfort food you didn't know you needed!