Beef Salad

Beef Salad – A Traditional Romanian Delicacy

Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total: 2 hours
Number of servings: 6

Beef salad is an emblematic dish of Romanian cuisine, perfect for festive meals or family dinners. This classic recipe combines tender beef with fresh vegetables, all covered with a creamy mayonnaise sauce. Let's discover together how to achieve a perfect result!

Ingredients:
- 450-550 g of beef (recommended cuts are from the shoulder or neck for a rich taste)
- 450 g of potatoes
- 300 g of carrots
- 150 g of bell peppers (fresh or pickled)
- 150 g of cucumbers (fresh or pickled)
- 150 g of green tomatoes (only the skin, without the flesh)
- 200 g of mayonnaise (preferably homemade for an authentic taste)
- Salt, to taste
- 1-2 boiled eggs (for decoration)

For decoration:
- Sliced olives
- Corn (especially for creative arrangements)
- Slices of bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Boiled egg whites

Preparation method:

1. Boiling the meat: Start by placing the beef in a large pot, covering it with cold water. Add a little salt and let it boil over medium heat. Skim off the foam that forms on the surface. Boil the meat for about 40 minutes or until tender. Check if it is well cooked, and if not, continue boiling until it is soft.

2. Preparing the vegetables: In the meantime, peel and wash the potatoes and carrots. Boil them in a separate pot. They will take about 30 minutes to cook. Test them with a fork: if it goes in easily, they are done. Once cooked, drain them and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

3. Chopping the ingredients: Once the vegetables have cooled, chop them into small cubes. Do the same with the bell peppers, cucumbers, and green tomatoes (remember to use only the skin of the green tomatoes). Make sure to squeeze the pickled vegetables well to remove excess water, so the salad won't be too wet.

4. Preparing the meat: Remove the meat from the water, rinse it lightly under cold running water, and chop it into small cubes, just like the vegetables.

5. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all the vegetables and meat. Add salt to taste and the mayonnaise. Gently mix, ensuring that the mayonnaise is evenly distributed over all the ingredients.

6. Shaping the salad: Transfer the salad to a serving platter and shape it as desired. You can use a metal ring for an elegant look or divide it into individual servings.

7. Decorating: Use sliced olives, corn, and bell pepper slices to decorate the salad. You can also add cucumber slices and boiled egg whites for a colorful and appetizing appearance.

Serving suggestions:
Beef salad is served cold, making it ideal alongside fresh bread or as an appetizer. A delicious variation is to add a few drops of lemon juice to the mayonnaise for a more vibrant taste. You can also try replacing mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.

Quick version:
If you're in a hurry, you can use pre-cooked beef and canned vegetables, which will significantly reduce preparation time.

Enjoy your meal! This salad is not just a recipe but a memory of family meals and a delicacy that you will surely love!

 Ingredients: 450-550 g of beef, 450 g of potatoes, 300 g of carrots, 150 g of bell peppers, 150 g of cucumbers, 150 g of green tomatoes, 200 g of mayonnaise, salt, 1-2 boiled eggs. For decoration: sliced olives, corn (especially in the arrangement example as corn and fish), slices of bell peppers, cucumbers, boiled egg white, and cucumber.

 Tags:  salad beef salad mayonnaise olives corn