Salad Olivier (Russian Salad)

A classic Russian salad with a rich history, featuring tender quail, vegetables, and a creamy homemade mayonnaise.
2h 5m4Servings
Nutrition
682kcal
22gProtein
51gCarbs
44gFat
Ingredients
QUAIL
Quail
4 whole
Water
1.5 l
Smoked Salt
1 tbsp
Fresh Rosemary
2 sprigs
Bay Leaf
2 whole
Juniper Berries
½ tsp
SALAD BASE
Cooked Potatoes
500 g
Fresh Cucumber
1 whole
Green Olives
50 g
Capers
2 tbsp
MAYONNAISE
Egg Yolk
1 whole
Dijon Mustard
1 tsp
Tarragon-Infused White Wine Vinegar
1 tbsp
Water
1 tsp
Neutral Flavored Oil
120 ml
Olive Oil
30 ml
"CABOUL" SAUCE
Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp
Soy Sauce
1 tbsp
Tabasco Sauce
¼ tsp
GARNISH
Chicken Jell-O Cubes
100 g
Hard-Boiled Quail Eggs
4 whole
Cooked Crayfish Tails
50 g
Lettuce Leaves
4 pieces
Salmon Roe
2 tbsp
Equipment
Immersion Blender
Instructions
1Poach the Quail
35m
Prepare Poaching Liquid
In a pot, combine 1.5 liters of water, 1 tbsp smoked salt, 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 2 bay leaves, and 0.5 tsp crushed juniper berries. Bring to a simmer.
Poach Quail
Gently add the 4 whole quail to the simmering liquid. Poach for 15 minutes on low heat.
Cool and Shred Quail
Remove the quail from the poaching liquid and let them cool slightly. Shred the meat, reserving the tiny drumsticks for garnish. Discard bones and skin.
2Prepare Salad Ingredients
15m
Dice Potatoes
Dice 500g of cooked potatoes into small, bite-sized cubes.
Dice Cucumber
Dice 1 fresh cucumber into small, bite-sized cubes.
Prepare Olives and Capers
Finely chop 50g of green olives and drain 2 tbsp of capers.
3Make the Mayonnaise
10m
Combine Base Ingredients
In a tall container, combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp tarragon vinegar, and 1 tsp water.
Emulsify with Oil
Using an immersion blender, start blending the base ingredients while slowly drizzling in 120ml of neutral oil and 30ml of olive oil until a thick mayonnaise forms.
4Prepare the "Caboul" Sauce
2m
Combine Sauce Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 0.25 tsp Tabasco sauce.
5Assemble the Salad
5m
Combine Main Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the shredded quail, diced potatoes, diced cucumber, chopped olives, and capers.
Add Dressing
Add the homemade mayonnaise and the "Caboul" sauce to the salad. Mix gently until all ingredients are well coated.
6Prepare Garnish
10m
Prepare Chicken Jell-O
Prepare chicken jell-o according to package directions (using 100g gelatin and poultry stock). Chill until firm, then cut into small cubes.
Prepare Other Garnishes
Halve 4 hard-boiled quail eggs. Prepare cooked crayfish tails. Have lettuce leaves ready.
7Garnish and Serve
1h
Plate the Salad
Transfer the salad to a crystal serving bowl. Arrange lettuce leaves around the edge.
Add Toppings
Decorate the top of the salad with the reserved quail drumsticks, halved quail eggs, crayfish tails, chicken jell-o cubes, and salmon roe.
Chill
Chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Tips
The key to a good mayonnaise is to add the oil very slowly while blending to create a stable emulsion.
If fresh quail is unavailable, you can substitute with chicken, but the flavor will be different.
The chicken jell-o is a traditional, albeit unusual, garnish; omit if preferred.
Ensure all ingredients are diced to a similar, small size for a cohesive texture.