Reinventing holiday traditions with a zesty salad twist
Traditions have a way of evolving, reflecting the current fashion and tastes of the audience. This applies to Christmas Eve dishes as well. While it's valuable to know the original recipes, slight modifications can make them even more delicious. In some countries, vegetable salad has been a staple on tables for many occasions over the years, and I’ve found an ingredient that adds a bit of zest to it.
11 December 2024 18:23
I enjoy preparing dishes that help me use up leftovers from the fridge. The traditional vegetable salad offers some flexibility with its ingredients. If I'm out of onions, I substitute with leeks. Instead of peas, I can use corn. At some point, I decided to incorporate fillets that didn’t make it onto the Christmas menu.
How to cook vegetables for the salad without losing flavour
A bland vegetable salad can disappoint even the biggest fans of various culinary traditions. A common mistake is overcooking the vegetables, which should neither fall apart nor be too soft when served. Additionally, they should be cooked with their skins on, which helps retain more flavour. Wash carrots, potatoes, and parsnip roots under running water, place them in a pot, cover with water, and cook for about 30 minutes. Then let them cool before peeling.
An ingredient for vegetable salad that adds a kick
This version of vegetable salad is perfect as a Christmas dish or as an appetizer for the days following the holiday. Add four pieces of salted but soaked herring to the classic mix of cooked vegetables. If it hasn't been soaked, immerse it in cold water for at least an hour.
The fish will not only enhance the salad's flavour but also add valuable nutrients. Few realize that this type of marine fish is much healthier than salmon or tuna. In small herrings, caught around two years of age, there isn't enough time for heavy metals to accumulate, unlike in large oceanic fish. Despite a small amount of mercury, it is rich in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are strong reasons to reach for this fish as often as possible.
Recipe for vegetable salad with herring
In addition to the cooked vegetables, you’ll need hard-boiled eggs for the salad. To make them perfect, cover them with cold water and cook for 6 minutes from the time they start boiling.
Ingredients:
- 4 potatoes,
- 3 carrots,
- 2 parsnips,
- 4 herring fillets,
- 4 hard-boiled eggs,
- 4 pickled or preserved cucumbers,
- 1 apple,
- 1 onion,
- 1 can of canned peas,
- 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise,
- 1 tablespoon of mustard,
- salt, pepper to taste.
Instructions:
- Dice the cooked and peeled vegetables.
- Add diced herring fillets, eggs, cucumbers, apple, and onion.
- Drain the peas and incorporate them into the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Mix the salad with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of mustard.
- Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Be cautious with the salt – it might not be necessary due to the salty flavour of the herring.
