Novogodniy Olivier Feast

Name: Novogodniy Olivier Feast
Yield: 15
Cuisine: Russia
Ingredients: Potatoes, boiled and diced — 8; Carrots, boiled and diced — 6; Peas, cooked — 300 g (10.5 oz); Pickles, diced — 6; Cooked chicken or bologna sausage, diced — 600 g (1.3 lb); Hard-boiled eggs, diced — 8; Mayonnaise — 480 g (17 oz); Salt and pepper — to taste; Chopped dill, to garnish

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Potatoes, boiled and diced — 8
Carrots, boiled and diced — 6
Peas, cooked — 300 g (10.5 oz)
Pickles, diced — 6
Cooked chicken or bologna sausage, diced — 600 g (1.3 lb)
Hard-boiled eggs, diced — 8
Mayonnaise — 480 g (17 oz)
Salt and pepper — to taste
Chopped dill, to garnish

Method

Combine the diced potato, carrot, peas, pickle, chicken or sausage, and egg in a very large bowl.
Fold in the mayonnaise, coating everything evenly.
Season with salt and pepper.
Chill for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, for the best flavour.
Garnish with chopped dill before serving to the gathered New Year celebration.

Introduction: A generous, feast-sized version of Olivier salad, prepared for New Year celebrations and large family gatherings across Russia.

Cultural Background: New Year is the most significant celebration in Russia, surpassing even Christmas in festivity, and a large batch of Olivier salad is an absolutely essential centrepiece, families gathering to prepare and share it together.

Tips: Prepare this larger batch with help from family, as making Olivier together is a cherished part of the New Year tradition. Dice all the ingredients uniformly small for the classic, well-balanced texture, even at this larger scale.

Variations: Some families add a layer of extra mayonnaise on top for a decorative finish. Serve alongside other festive dishes like seledka pod shuboy for a complete New Year spread.

Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: This dish is served cold and is not reheated.

FAQs:

Q: Why is New Year so significant in Russia?

A: Historically de-emphasised religious celebrations during the Soviet era shifted much of the festive spirit to New Year, making it the country's most important annual celebration.

Q: How many people does this festive batch serve?

A: This larger quantity comfortably serves 15–20 people as part of a New Year celebration.