Oriental Salad

Oriental Salad

On a hot summer's day, there's nothing more refreshing than a fresh salad, full of flavors and colors. Oriental salad is a classic, easy-to-make dish that brings a touch of freshness and flavor to your meal. This recipe is based on simple but delicious ingredients and is perfect for a family meal or an outdoor picnic. Let's see how we can make it together!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients

- 4-5 suitable potatoes (preferably red or yellow potatoes)
- 4 hard boiled eggs
- 1 large red onion
- 1/4 glass vinegar
- 1 glass water
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or sunflower oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- A handful of black or green olives to serve
- Parsnips, to serve

Utensils needed

- Large pot for boiling potatoes
- A large bowl for mixing salad
- A sharp knife for chopping
- A spoon for stirring

Step by step: preparing oriental salad

1. Boiling the potatoes
Start by washing the potatoes well under running water to remove dirt. Put them in a large pot, cover with water and add a teaspoon of salt. Boil for 20-30 minutes or until tender but not falling apart. Once cooked, let them cool in their skins for a few hours. This step is essential as the potatoes will cut more easily and retain a nice texture.

2. Boiling eggs
Meanwhile, you can boil the eggs. Put them in a pot of cold water, bring to the boil, then boil for 10-12 minutes. Once boiled, put them in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. This will make the skins easier to remove.

3. Chopping the ingredients
When the potatoes and eggs have cooled, peel them. Cut the potatoes into thin slices (about 1 cm thick) and the eggs into slices or cubes, as you prefer. Cut the red onion into thin scales. This onion not only adds a pleasant taste but also a vibrant color to the salad.

4. Mixing the salad
In a large bowl, add the potato slices, onion and eggs. Now it's time to prepare the dressing. In a separate bowl, mix the vinegar and water, adding salt and sugar to taste. You can adjust the proportions to suit your preference - if you like a less sour salad, you can add more water.

5. Finalizing the dish
Pour the dressing over the salad, add the oil and toss gently, being careful not to crush the ingredients. Taste and add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. It is important to leave the salad to marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator, covered with cling film, so that the flavors combine perfectly.

6. Serving
To serve, I recommend adding a few black or green olives on top of the salad for extra flavor. Serve with the lightly fried, lightly oiled linguine to create a nice contrast between the crispy texture of the linguine and the fresh salad.

Useful tips

- Potato choice: Use waxy potatoes (such as red or yellow), which keep cooking better and have a better texture in salads.
- Perfectly boiled eggs: To get perfectly boiled eggs, try adding them to cold water, then bringing them to the boil. Just before taking them out, you can put them in ice water to prevent green circles around the yolk.
- Variations: You can add other ingredients, such as fresh dill or parsley, for extra flavor. You can also experiment with different types of vinegar, such as balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar, to change the flavor profile of the salad.

Nutritional benefits

This salad is an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates from the potatoes, protein from the eggs and vitamins from the onions. It's a hearty but light dish, perfect for hot days. It's also high in fiber, which aids digestion.

FAQs

1. Can I prepare the salad a few days in advance?
It is recommended that you prepare it a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to combine, but it is not ideal to keep it more than 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

2. What can I use instead of red onions?
You can use white or green onions, but the taste will be different. Red onions add a nice sweetness and color.

3. How can I make the salad more savory?
Add a few slices of cucumber or tomato, or even tuna or boiled chicken for a more protein-rich option.

Serving recommendations

The oriental salad pairs perfectly with a glass of cold lemonade or iced mint tea. You can also accompany the meal with a selection of appetizers, such as hummus or baba ganoush, for an even richer dining experience.

All in all, oriental salad is a versatile and flavorful dish that will cool you down on hot summer days. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a delicious and healthy dish perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 6 people 4-5 suitable potatoes boiled in their skins 4 hard-boiled eggs fresh 1 red onion 1/4 cup of vinegar 1 cup of water 2-3 tablespoons of oil