Vegetable salad

Vegetable salad with mayonnaise – a classic of the kitchen, perfect for any occasion! This simple and quick vegetable salad recipe is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, making it ideal as a side dish or appetizer. I invite you to discover the necessary steps to create a tasty dish that will delight the taste buds of family and friends.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 500 g potatoes
- 200 g peas (fresh or frozen)
- 3 carrots
- 2 parsnips
- 1 celery
- 1/2 lemon (juice)
- Mayonnaise (to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Preparing the vegetables
To achieve a fresh and tasty vegetable salad, the first step is to clean and chop the vegetables. Start by peeling the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and celery. Make sure to use a sharp knife to cut the vegetables evenly. A useful technique is to cut the potatoes into small cubes and the carrots and parsnips into rounds to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Boiling the vegetables
Place the cleaned vegetables in a large pot with salted water. The potatoes will require the most cooking time, so it’s best to add them first. After about 10 minutes, add the carrots, parsnips, and celery. Finally, add the peas in the last 5 minutes of boiling to maintain their crunchy texture. Boil the vegetables until tender, but do not leave them in the water too long to avoid losing their nutrients and color.

Step 3: Cooling the vegetables
Once the vegetables are boiled, drain them well and let them cool. You can speed up the cooling process by placing them in a bowl of cold water or ice. This step is essential to keep the vegetables crunchy and to prevent the salad from becoming mushy.

Step 4: Assembling the salad
After the vegetables have cooled, cut them into cubes or grate them, depending on your preference. Place all the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice to give them a fresh taste and to prevent oxidation. Then, incorporate the mayonnaise. Adjust the amount of mayonnaise according to how creamy you want the salad to be. Gently mix so that all the ingredients combine evenly.

Step 5: Seasoning
Finally, add salt and pepper to taste. It’s important to taste the salad before adding too much seasoning to ensure you achieve the perfect balance of flavors.

Serving suggestions:
This vegetable salad with mayonnaise can be served as is, as a side dish alongside meats, or used as a filling for sandwiches. For a more appealing presentation, you can decorate the salad with thin slices of boiled egg or fresh parsley leaves.

Possible variations:
If you want to add a twist to your recipe, you can experiment with different ingredients such as red bell peppers or pickles for an extra crunch. You can also replace the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter but equally tasty version.

Now you are ready to prepare this delicious vegetable salad! It will surely become a favorite at your table, bringing joy and health to every serving. Bon appétit!