Three Salads, One Family Tree: Ensaladilla, Olivier and Venezuelan Ensalada de Gallina (but Vegan!)

What connects a tapa in Spain, a New Year’s salad in Russia and a beloved Venezuelan Christmas dish? In this episode of More Plants, we follow the surprising family tree of ensaladilla rusa, Olivier's Russian salad and ensalada de gallina. We explore nineteenth-century European “Russian salads,” Lucien Olivier’s luxurious Moscow creation, Spain’s own ensaladilla tradition and the Venezuelan version that became a festive classic. Then we bring all three into the plant-based kitchen, with practical ways to replace tuna, eggs, sausage and chicken without losing the textures and flavors that make each salad distinct.

We also talk about how recipes change, how traditions evolve, and why as vegans and plant-based eaters we only do what has been happening in kitchens since kitchens existed. 

It's a fun and delicious episode with a little history, a few cooking lessons and tips, and a ton of inspiration to turn your potato salads a little more worldly giving these three dishes from three separate continents a try.

For all the links mentioned in today's episode, click here or visit brownbleprograms.com/blog