Festive Christmas Salad

That sounds absolutely fantastic! There’s nothing better than a Christmas recipe that brings the family together. Thank you for sharing the ingredients.

It sounds like a vibrant, classic “Olivier Salad” or Russian Salad, which is a beloved holiday dish in many parts of the world. The combination of carrots, eggs, ham, and creamy dressing is a winner!

Based on your ingredients, I’ve put together a complete recipe that captures the spirit of your wonderful salad. Let’s give it a name and clear instructions so others can recreate your family’s thrill!

✨ Festive Winter Jewel Salad ✨

This hearty, colorful salad is a showstopper on the Christmas table. The creamy yogurt-mayo dressing is perfectly balanced, and every bite is packed with flavor and texture.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes (for eggs and carrots)
Serves: 6-8 as a side dish

Ingredients:

• 3 carrots, peeled

• 7 large eggs

• 200g canned ham, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced

• 200g canned peas, drained and rinsed

• 180g canned corn, drained and rinsed

• 3 tablespoons high-quality mayonnaise

• 3 tablespoons plain natural yogurt (full-fat is best for creaminess)

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• Optional for garnish: Fresh dill or parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook the Base Ingredients: Place the whole peeled carrots and the eggs in a medium pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook for about 10-12 minutes, until the carrots are tender but still firm (you can pierce them with a fork). Remove the carrots and let them cool. Continue boiling the eggs for a full 10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.

2. Prepare the Components: While the carrots and eggs are cooking, dice the canned ham and the red bell pepper. Drain and rinse the canned peas and corn well to remove any excess sodium.

3. Cool and Dice: Once cool enough to handle, dice the cooked carrots. Place the hard-boiled eggs in a bowl of cold water to cool quickly, then peel and dice them.

4. Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the diced carrots, diced eggs, diced ham, diced red pepper, peas, and corn.

5. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.

6. Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Using a large spoon or spatula, fold the dressing gently into the salad until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to mash the ingredients.

7. Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

8. Garnish and Enjoy! Just before serving, give it a final stir, taste for seasoning (add more salt/pepper if needed), and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley for a festive touch.

💥 Must-Express Tips for Perfection:

• Texture is Key: Make sure all your ingredients are diced to a similar size for a perfect bite every time.

• Drain Well: Ensuring the peas and corn are well-drained prevents the salad from becoming watery.

• The Chill Time is Crucial: Don’t skip the chilling step! It makes a world of difference in allowing the flavors to develop fully.

• Make it Your Own: This salad is very versatile. You could add diced pickles, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing, or substitute the ham with cooked chicken or turkey.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful Christmas success! It’s a recipe that is sure to become a tradition for many.