Beef salad

Beef Salad with Vegetables and Mayonnaise

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8

A classic and beloved recipe in many households, beef salad is a perfect choice for both festive meals and less formal occasions. This salad, with a savory mix of vegetables and meat, not only offers an appealing appearance but also an explosion of flavors that delights the taste buds. Additionally, it is an excellent way to use leftover boiled vegetables, making it an economical option.

Ingredients
- 4 carrots
- 1 parsley root
- 3 small potatoes
- 1 small celery
- 2-3 pickles
- 300 g meat (chicken, beef, or pork, as preferred)
- Salt, to taste
- For mayonnaise:
- ½ boiled potato
- 1 raw egg yolk
- 3 teaspoons of mustard
- About 250 ml of oil
- For garnish:
- 1 carrot from the 4
- Green parsley leaves

Preparing the Vegetables
1. Boiling the Vegetables: Start by boiling the carrots, parsley root, potatoes, and celery in a large pot of water, adding salt to taste. Cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until they become soft. You can check if they are done by inserting a fork into them; if it goes in easily, they are perfect.

2. Grating: Once the vegetables are boiled, let them cool slightly. Use a large-holed grater to grate the vegetables, then place them in a large bowl. Do the same with the pickles, adding them over the grated vegetables.

Preparing the Mayonnaise
3. Mayonnaise: In another bowl, mash ½ boiled potato well and mix it with the raw egg yolk and mustard. These ingredients will give the mayonnaise a creamy texture and delicious taste.

4. The Oil: Start adding the oil in a thin stream, constantly mixing with a whisk or fork. Continue until you obtain a thick mayonnaise. You can adjust the amount of oil according to your preferences; the more you add, the richer the mayonnaise will be. Finally, set aside 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise for garnishing the salad.

Combining the Ingredients
5. Final Mixture: In the bowl with the grated vegetables, add the boiled and finely chopped meat (preferably leftover from another meal). Add the remaining mayonnaise and mix everything well, homogenizing the composition. Taste and add salt as desired.

Serving
6. Plating: Use a large platter to arrange the salad. You can shape it as you wish, giving it an attractive form. Cover the salad with the mayonnaise you reserved for garnishing, and then decorate with the remaining carrot, which you can cut into fun shapes using cookie cutters, and with green parsley leaves for an extra touch of freshness.

Practical Tips
- The Meat: You can use any type of meat you prefer, and for a more intense flavor, beef is chosen by many. If you want a vegetarian option, replace the meat with chickpeas or tofu.
- The Vegetables: If you have leftover boiled vegetables from a soup, they are perfect for quickly preparing this salad. This way, you can finish it in about 30 minutes.
- Flavor Variations: You can add olives or sweet corn to give your salad a different taste.
- Storing the Salad: Beef salad keeps well in the refrigerator, making it ideal to prepare a day before the event.

Delicious Combinations
To complete the meal, you can serve beef salad alongside fresh bread or salty crackers. A refreshing drink, such as iced citrus tea or a fruit cocktail, will certainly enhance the culinary experience.

Nutritional Benefits
Beef salad is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals due to the fresh vegetables. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, while celery and parsley provide fiber and antioxidants. If you use lean meat, you will obtain a filling dish with a moderate calorie content.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use store-bought mayonnaise? Yes, if you prefer a quicker option, store-bought mayonnaise can be used. However, the taste will differ from homemade.
- How can I make the salad less caloric? You can reduce the oil in the mayonnaise and replace the egg yolk with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Can beef salad be frozen? It is not recommended to freeze this salad, as the texture of the vegetables and mayonnaise will change.

Personal Note
For me, beef salad is not just a dish, but a memory of festive meals where the whole family gathered to enjoy the lovingly prepared delights. I recommend playing with the shapes and decorating the salad, letting your creativity shine - each salad becomes unique and special when created with love!

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to put on your apron and start preparing this delicious beef salad. Each bite will be an explosion of flavors and memories, and your friends will be impressed by your culinary talent! Bon appétit!