Piedmontese Gourmet Russian Salad Recipe

Some may think it’s a typo, but we are indeed talking about Piedmontese Russian Salad—a delicious traditional starter that’s incredibly easy to prepare and brings back the authentic flavours of grandma’s kitchen. In this Venchi version enriched with chocolate, this gourmet Russian salad fits perfectly into a sophisticated menu alongside Sweet and Sour Prawns and Gourmet Fassona Tartare.

Piedmontese Russian Salad: History and Origins

The story of Piedmontese Russian salad is closely linked to that of its namesake: Russian salad. It seems that in the late 19th century, during a visit to the Savoy Court, the Tsar requested that the royal chefs recreate a dish that was popular in Russia at the time—“Salat Olivier”, commonly known as Russian salad. The chefs granted his request but reinterpreted the recipe using local vegetables. This twist was a huge success, quickly becoming a typical Piedmontese dish.

The Recipe: With Tuna and Giardiniera

This is one of those recipes prepared differently in every household, each with its own secret ingredient or variation. Our Piedmontese Russian salad features tuna and a rich giardiniera, all brought together by an ultra-creamy, strictly homemade mayonnaise.

Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 100 g peas
• 100 g potatoes
• 100 g carrots
• 30 g cooked beetroot
• 100 g canned tuna in brine
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• Chocoviar grains, to taste
• Turmeric, to taste
• Salt, to taste

For the homemade mayonnaise:

• 1 egg
• 200 ml sunflower oil
• 15 ml vinegar
• Salt, to taste

Preparation

Peel the potatoes and carrots, dice them and steam with the peas for about 20 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, you can boil them in unsalted water, draining before they become too soft. Dice the beetroot and place it in a large bowl with the cooled vegetables.
Add the drained, finely flaked tuna, season with salt, a tablespoon of vinegar and a pinch of turmeric for a slightly tangy note.
Using a hand blender, make the mayonnaise by blending all ingredients for about two minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the mayonnaise to the vegetable salad and mix gently.

Chocoviar Grains: The Gourmet Touch

To give your Piedmontese Russian salad a gourmet twist, simply add a handful of Venchi cocoa pearls: the contrast between their delicate crunch and the soft vegetables will be a true revelation!
For a casual family lunch, serve the salad in a large sharing dish. For something more refined, create small spheres using an ice-cream scoop or shape quenelles with two spoons. The ultimate festive starter is served!