avg —
Snow Queen Salad with Crab Sticks
Instructions
I get the ingredients ready. Peel the apple and remove the seeds. If you like, store-bought mayonnaise can be replaced with homemade mayonnaise, and the peanuts can be roasted. Chop the peanuts with a knife or in a blender. Put the processed cheese in the freezer for 30 minutes beforehand. Boil the eggs hard.
Cut the ham into small cubes.
Cut the crab sticks into cubes as well.
Grate the peeled apple on a vegetable grater.
Separate the whites of the boiled eggs from the yolks. Grate the yolks on a fine grater.
Grate the whites on the same grater.
Grate the semi-frozen processed cheese on a vegetable grater.
Now start assembling the salad. Using a 16 cm forming ring, spread the processed cheese evenly as the first layer. Coat it with mayonnaise.
Next comes a layer of grated yolks. You can either mix the yolks first with a tablespoon of mayonnaise, or spread mayonnaise over them.
Then lay out the crab sticks, and mayonnaise on top.
Spread the grated apple, coated with mayonnaise, evenly over the crab sticks.
Next comes the ham, and mayonnaise over it again.
Then comes the peanut layer, lightly coated with mayonnaise.
Divide the whites into two parts. Mix one part with mayonnaise and cover the peanuts with this mixture.
As the final layer, spread the second part of the grated whites. Put the salad in the fridge for several hours so it soaks through better.
After the time is up, lift off the forming ring and serve the Snow Queen salad with crab sticks at the table.
Tips
- 1
Freezing the cheese is the secret to neat grating. Warm processed cheese smears. After 30 minutes in the freezer it grates cleanly and neatly.
- 2
The top of grated whites is the secret of the snow. This is the very snowy effect that gave the salad its name. Without the whites, it is just an ordinary layered salad.
- 3
Letting it rest in the fridge is the secret to soaking through. Straight after assembly the layers are dry and separate. After 2-3 hours in the cold the flavours come together.
- 4
Roasting the peanuts is the secret of aroma. Raw peanuts are bland. Roasted for 3-5 minutes in a dry pan, they are aromatic and crunchy, and stand out more in the salad. The same principle works in other kinds of layered salads with crab sticks.
Video
FAQ
What can I use instead of ham? +
Alternatives: smoked sausage (200 g – as suggested in the recipe), boiled beef (200 g – lean), boiled chicken fillet (200 g – more tender), smoked chicken (200 g – brighter flavour), sliced carbonade (200 g – premium), fried bacon (200 g – premium), boiled turkey (200 g – premium lean), smoked brisket (200 g – fattier), cervelat (200 g – budget). Brands such as Mikoyan, Dymov and Ostankino are reliable. Fresh ham from a smokehouse is a premium option. Do not use: pâté (it will ruin the structure) or salted balyk (it will be too salty). For the classic Snow Queen, ham or smoked sausage is essential.
Can I replace the peanuts? +
Alternatives: chopped walnuts (100 g – as suggested in the recipe), chopped almonds (100 g – premium), roasted cashews (100 g – premium), chopped hazelnuts (100 g – brighter aroma), a 50/50 mix of walnuts and peanuts (50 g each – premium), pine nuts (100 g – refined), pecans (100 g – American premium), salted shelled pistachios (100 g – bright flavour). Brands such as Semushka, Sun Sun and Nevskie Orekhi are reliable. Fresh nuts in the shell are a premium option. Do not use: salted nuts in excess (they will upset the balance) or nuts in caramel or sugar glaze. For the classic, roasted unsalted peanuts are essential.
How long does the salad keep? +
In the fridge, in the ring under cling film, it keeps for 1-2 days. Any longer and the apple releases juice and darkens, the mayonnaise separates, and the nuts go soggy. Before serving, remove the ring 5 minutes ahead and garnish it. I do not recommend freezing it, as the structure will be completely destroyed. The salad is at its best 2-3 hours after assembly, once it has settled in the cold and the flavours have combined and the layers have soaked through. On the second day the flavour is deeper and brighter. Do not leave it at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, as eggs with mayonnaise spoil quickly. It is ideal to make for a single festive meal.
What do I serve the salad with? +
A classic for the festive table: with a glass of champagne or prosecco; with a shot of cold vodka; with a white semi-sweet or dry wine; with a cup of green tea; with a platter of hard cheeses; with fresh cut vegetables; with slices of rye bread; with a meat platter (baked ham, ham, balyk); with a cup of chicken broth as a starter; with a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice; with slices of pickled cucumbers; and alongside other festive salads. For a New Year's table or 8 March it makes a universal serving. A festive salad for celebrations.
- Comment
or post as a guest
Be the first to comment.
