Mimosa Salad is a festive salad consisting of fish, eggs, and cheese. It’s one of the most popular Russian salads.
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Hello everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the last days of 2021 (How come, right?) We definitely need to celebrate this.
My last posts of 2019 and 2020 were traditional Russian recipes – a staple of the winter holidays season. This Olivier Salad and Dressed Herring Salad are a must for New Year’s Eve celebration for many families. And I thought it would be a good idea to continue this tradition.
Not a Cocktail!
Mimosa Salad is not as popular as those mentioned above, though. There’s not much known about its origins (Although this salad has even a Wikipedia page!) But I can assure you it is nothing to do with a famous cocktail :) But if you are looking for a mimosa cocktail, I’ve got them too. Please check this Cranberry Mimosa and Orange Rosemary Mimosa.
Mimosa Salad
Mimosa salad got its name because of its resemblance to mimosa flowers scattered on the snow. This similarity is achieved by scattering boiled grated egg yolk on the white layer, normally boiled egg whites.
The classic method is to layer the ingredients with mayonnaise between the layers. Typical ingredients include canned fish, boiled eggs, cheese (Both egg whites and yolks). Many variations also include potatoes, carrots, onions, and even grated butter (Which sounds quite strange to my liking. Why would you eat a layer of butter, right? But I bet a small amount incorporated into one of the layers adds silkiness and richness.) Even though canned fish was the most available and affordable ingredient back in the USSR, nowadays variations with fresh salmon or trout are popular, too. You can even use smoked salmon here!
Healthier Version
For this version, I went with salmon which I quickly pan-seared, or more likely steamed, until flaky. Other layers included hard-boiled eggs and cheese (Smoked cheddar for an extra added flavour). No boiled potatoes or carrots here – only delicious protein layers (Even though it’s not a classic salad without them.) And I also combined mayo with sour cream, for a lighter version. Greek or any other plain yogurt will work well, too.
I hope you like this Mimosa Salad, and you will try it soon. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share you photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
I wish you all a lovely 2021 wrap up and Happy New Year. I will see you soon, in January!
Cheers!
Mimosa Salad
Course: Salads4-6
servings5
minutes30
minutes1
hour (at least)Mimosa Salad is a festive salad consisting of fish, eggs, and cheese. It’s one of the most popular salads known in Russia.
Ingredients
1 large or 2 medium (~350-400 gr.) filet of salmon or trout
1/4 tsp. olive oil
2-3 tbsp. of water
a pinch of salt and pepper
4-5 eggs
~ 150 gr. hard cheese, grated (I used smoked cheddar)
~ 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
~ 1/3 cup of sour cream or yogurt
black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Dry out the salmon on paper towel. Lightly season with salt and pepper, from both sides. Heat water and olive oil in a non-stick thick pan over medium high heat – the liquid should just barely cover the bottom of the pan.
- Place the salmon in the pan Cook for around 4 minutes then carefully flip and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the fish is flaky and opaque color. Off heat, drain the fish, transfer to a plate, and let completely cool. Then, using a fork, flake it.
- Cook the eggs until hard-boiled, 7 to 9 minutes (As desired). Cool under cold running water. Peel and separate egg whites from yolks then finely chop or grate, into separate bawls.
- For the dressing, in a small bowl combine the mayo with sour cream or yogurt and a pinch of salt.
- To assemble, you can use a glass bowl (so the layers would be visible) or simply a plate. If using a plate, using a forming ring would be handy but not necessary.
- Arrange a later of flaked fish. Spread some of the mayo dressing. Next, sprinkle with the grated cheese followed by the mayo dressing. Next layer will be chopped egg whites (with a touch of mayo) finishing with the chopped or grated egg yolks. Cover the salad with plastic and chill for at least 1 hour or even longer. Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
Wow, What a combo! Looks delicious :) Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for such a nice recipe.
Wow ! Never heard of this beauty ! Must do !!!!!!!!
2pots2cook recently posted…Purple Cauliflower Steaks
Wow, Cheers to this Mimosa Salad! One of my favorite drinks this time of year turned into a salad is genius. Looks and sounds delicious! Happy New Year, Ben!
Kim | Give it Some Thyme recently posted…Cheesy French Onion Smashed Potatoes
Ha ha! I did indeed think this was a cocktail when I first saw the title until I read through it. This looks like a delicious Russian salad. Happy New Year to you guys!
At first, I thought this recipe had something to do with orange juice and champagne. I was thinking “wow, that’s an odd flavor combination in a salad.” (Although to be fair, you could do a champagne vinaigrette and get somewhere close…) I’m not familiar with this salad, but it sounds like great party food!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Mulligatawny Soup
I love a good asparagus mimosa and I’ve had a version of mimosa salad, but it wasn’t this delicious Russian one. Such a very pretty salad, Ben (totally on brand!) and it sounds absolutely delicious!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Chocolate Granola (Make Your Own Trail Mix!)
I love learning the history behind a recipe, or the reason behind a name, so it was fascinating to read how Mimosa Salad got its name. I totally see it! And what a gorgeous salad this is! The colors are so vibrant. This would be a great dish to celebrate the New Year with!
Shannon recently posted…Savory Vegan Loaf
Neat recipe — and it looks gorgeous! Thanks. And Happy New Year!
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Eye Opener Cocktail
As they say in Moscow вкусный! GREG
Happy New Year Ben! This mimosa salad is like nothing I’ve had before and sounds like a delicious combination of flavors. Thank you for sharing a recipe from your roots
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs recently posted…Lemon Pistachio Biscotti {Dipped in White Chocolate}
I’ve never had a mimosa salad before, but the ingredients are all things I love. Happy New Year, my friend!
What a delicious combo of salmon, eggs and cheese! Love seeing these Russian recipes on your blog! Happy New Year, Ben! Wishing you all the best in 2022!
Thank you for sharing a traditional recipe with us. May your entry into 2022 be awesome.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Heal – Begin With Food, Melissa Delport
What an incredible-looking salad, I can sure see why it would be for a festive occasion like New Year’s Eve. I love layered salads, they just look so lovely. I sure hope you and your partner had a lovely holiday season and that you will have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Eva Taylor recently posted…Gingerbread Petite Fours
Very festive indeed! Love the idea
salmon, cheddar and eggs…they are on the list of my favourites. This is a great combo for a wonderful salad.
angiesrecipes recently posted…Crispy Greek Chicken with Pumpkin Puree