• Recipes
  • Urban Homesteading
  • Organic Gardening
  • Faith and Family
  • Homeschool
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

My Humble Kitchen

food • faith • family

  • New? Start Here!
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Salads
    • Egg Dishes
    • Meat and Fish
    • Pasta
    • Rice and Legumes
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetables
    • Sandwiches
    • Casserole Meals
    • Crockpot Recipes
    • Odd Bits Recipes
    • Spanish Food
    • Naturally Sweetened Sweets and Treats
    • Condiments
    • Homemade Jams and Preserves
    • Whole Grains
    • Ferments
  • Shopping Guide
  • eBooks
You are here: Home / Topics / Recipes / A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa

Recipes Salads Spring Summer

A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa

ensaladilla_rusa

Ensaladilla Rusa is a Spanish potato salad served as a tapa throughout the entire country of Spain.

Ever since I can remember, when we would visit Spain, my Abuela Rora would have a spread of our favorite foods made for us upon arrival.  It always consisted of fresh baked bread, Spanish chorizo sausage, jamon serrano, olives, and ensaladilla rusa. She’d also pick up a few 8oz bottles of coca-cola and something “American” she thought we’d enjoy.  One year it was ketchup – another, salsa.

We never seemed to use the condiments in Spain but since she had heard that children from the states enjoyed them she made sure we had them. Isn’t she sweet? Yes, I love her.

My Abuela Rora makes the best ensaladilla rusa. Creamy and silky from homemade mayonnaise and sweet and tender from cooked carrots and fresh from the plaza peas.

peas2

When I was 11 years old I sat down with my Abuela Rora to write down her recipe (as best as we could since she doesn’t use measurements) on the back page of my cruzada (crossword book).  It’s one of my most treasured books that I still have today as it has my Abuela’s recipe and holds a sweet memory.

With my last sweet sugar snap peas, I decided to use them to make her recipe.

peas

It never seems to taste as luxurious as it does in Spain, however, it’s still irresistible and one of my favorite summer salads.

A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa

ensaladilla2

Every person and bar in Spain makes their ensaladilla a little bit different.  Some add shrimp, artichokes, boiled eggs or canned white asparagus.

The staples being homemade mayonnaise, potatoes, tuna, peas and carrots.

Feel free to adapt this recipe adding whatever is in season but please remember that the only way to get the authentic taste from Spain is using homemade mayonnaise made with extra virgin olive oil.

Print
A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa

Yield: Serves 4-5

A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa

Ensaladilla Rusa is one of Spain's most popular tapas. A Spanish potato salad that is simple to make, silky, and creamy by using homemade mayonnaise.

Ingredients:

  • 1 recipe homemade mayonnaise
  • 4-5 large potatoes
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1/4 cup peas (you can use frozen)
  • 1 can tuna
  • 1 tsp salt

Method:

  1. Boil the potatoes and carrots in a large pot for 20 minutes or until tender.
  2. Once tender, remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  3. While the potatoes and carrots are cooling, steam or boil peas for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
  4. Dice the cooled potatoes and carrots into small pieces.
  5. In a large bowl, add the potatoes, carrots, peas, tuna, mayonnaise and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly.
3.1
https://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2011/07/a-spanish-favorite-ensaladilla-rusa/
©Copyright, A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa

Ensaladilla Rusa is best served at room temperature, however, it can also be chilled.

Have you had an ensaladilla rusa from Spain? Please share with us a recipe for your favorite potato salad in the comments below.

 


26 Comments

About Diana Bauman

Diana is a mother of three, proud wife, and humbled daughter of God. She finds the most joy meeting with Jesus in her organic gardens. She is completely blessed to be able to call herself a stay at home mom where she home educates her children, joyfully serves her husband, and cooks nourishing, real food, for her family. She loves connecting with people on facebook, google+, pinterest, and instagram.

« Garden Update, June 2011
Simple Lives Thursday, 51st Edition »

Comments

  1. STAR Fine Foods says

    July 6, 2011 at 8:06 am

    We had to share this on our page! Looks amazing!

    Reply
  2. A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa says

    July 6, 2011 at 8:08 am

    Thank you!!

    Reply
  3. Noelle says

    July 6, 2011 at 8:10 am

    This sounds so good! I do remember having something like this in Spain, especially with tuna! Look how similar ours is. This is how my Chilean grandmother would make hers. I am totally putting tuna in it next time. Delicious Diana! http://www.singerskitchen.com/2010/03/chilean-feast-for-eight.html

    Reply
    • Diana Bauman says

      July 6, 2011 at 8:16 am

      They are similar Noelle! I love the additional spices you’ve added though. I’ll definitely add some in next time ;D

      Reply
  4. Natalie says

    July 6, 2011 at 9:33 am

    I’ve never understood why a Russian salad is the most popular thing in every bar in Spain!! I make mine without the tuna, I love it!! 😀

    Reply
    • Diana Bauman says

      July 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

      Thanks for stopping by Natalie!

      Reply
  5. Sofya Hundt says

    July 6, 2011 at 9:34 am

    Looks like the Russian salad we Russians make (and the name points to it?). Here’s my version:

    http://girlsguidetobutter.com/2010/04/old-world-tuesday-the-russian-olivier-salad/

    For meat, they’d either use bologna or cooked chicken, I skip the meat in this one though, makes it overly rich imo.

    For Russians it’s a high-feast food, extremely labor-intensive.

    Reply
    • Rosario Martin says

      August 13, 2012 at 12:31 pm

      Sofya, that was the reason we call it Russian Salad, it was a variation from the one in your country, but some ingredients like pickles and Sour cream wasn’t that common many years ago in Spain so we change couple products and add Tuna. But keep giving the credit to Russian for the dish!!!

      Reply
  6. Kelly says

    July 6, 2011 at 10:00 am

    What a great story about you writing down this recipe on the back of an old crossword puzzle book! This looks amazing and something I definitely want to try myself! 🙂

    Reply
  7. susan smith says

    July 6, 2011 at 10:02 am

    I spent a semester in Sevilla, and ensaladilla rusa was one of my favorites!

    Reply
  8. A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa says

    July 6, 2011 at 10:15 am

    Yes, it is a russian salad Sofya. So popular in Spain!

    Reply
  9. Sofya Hundt says

    July 6, 2011 at 10:21 am

    I love it, your version seems MUCH easier.

    Reply
  10. jose manuel says

    July 6, 2011 at 11:38 am

    En mi casa también le echamos un buen atún o caballa y pimiento morrón, es la mejor tapa del mundo.

    Saludos

    Reply
  11. torviewtoronto says

    July 6, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    this looks delicious lovely pictures

    Reply
  12. IAMSNWFLAKE says

    July 6, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    In Argentina we call it Ensalada Rusa and the recipe calls for potatoes, carrots, peas and mayonnaise. It is a favorite summer side dish.
    Then, as in every recipe, each household has its variations and added ingredients.

    Reply
  13. Hester aka The Chef Doc says

    July 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Estoy muy alegre! This recipe just simply makes me smile and think of my time in Espana 🙂 I’m looking forward to making it!

    Reply
  14. Joan Nova says

    July 6, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Si, si señora…a favorite for sure! I’ve also done it using olive oil + vinegar to dress the salad, then molded it on plate and slathered outside with mayo.

    Reply
  15. Mireya Merritt says

    July 7, 2011 at 10:04 am

    I almost put up a recipe for Ensalada Rusa this week. My husband’s family calls it Ensaladilla. It’s delicious with tuna.

    Reply
  16. Skylar says

    July 7, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Looks great, and with the tuna! Oh what a great idea

    Reply
  17. Jenn @LeftoverQueen says

    July 11, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    This looks so good! I want to make it!

    Reply
  18. edurne says

    November 18, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Just found your blog today!! I felt homesick (come from Spain but live in Venezuela) and when I saw the title of your blog couldn´t resist!!! =) Guess what we are having for dinner today! You made me remember my mother =)

    Reply
    • Diana Bauman says

      November 18, 2012 at 11:52 am

      Thanks for stopping by, edurne! What a great recipe to bring you back to Spain ;D

      Reply
  19. sara says

    March 29, 2015 at 10:03 am

    My grandfather use to make this for us when we were little, he used ham instead of tuna and added boiled egg and potato. it’s delicious! In Spain another staple food in any bar/restaurant is “Tortilla” the base for it is onion potato eggs and salt, some add peppers and meats.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa – A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa | ClubEvoo says:
    July 6, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    […] Continue reading here: A Spanish Favorite: Ensaladilla Rusa – A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa […]

    Reply
  2. How to Make Homemade Mayonnaise With 4 Simple Ingredients - A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa says:
    January 16, 2012 at 8:38 am

    […] In Spain, everyone makes their own homemade mayonnaise and typically use Extra Virgin Olive Oil as their base ingredient. I enjoy the deep and peppery flavor especially when mixed in Ensaladilla Rusa. […]

    Reply
  3. 30 Sensational Summer Salad Recipes - Keeper of the Home says:
    January 5, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    […] 23. Ensaladilla Rusa – Russian Potato Salad – My Humble Kitchen […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Diana – mother of three, proud wife, and daughter to an amazing God. Here you’ll find an encouraging community seeking to nourish our families both physically and spiritually. You’ll find us in our kitchens, gardens, and homeschool rooms pursuing a simple life in food, faith, and family.

Read More…

Real Food, Faith, and Family Straight to Your Inbox!

PLUS, receive my eBook a Month of Meals from My Humble Kitchen to Yours and a Real Food Menu Plan Printable FREE!

Living Foods

Fermented Buckwheat Crunch - Gluten-Free

Fermented Buckwheat Crunch

How To Make Milk Kefir - A Probiotic Yogurt-Type Drink | myhumblekitchen.com

How To Make Milk Kefir – A Probiotic Yogurt-Type Drink

Charlotte Mason Homeschool Planner

Winter Recipes

Honey Sweetened, Christmas Granola - Candy Canes and Chocolate Chips | myhumblekitchen.com

Honey Sweetened Christmas Granola with Candy Canes and Chocolate Chips

A Simple Beef and Barley Stew | myhumblekitchen.com

A Simple Beef and Barley Stew

Gluten-Free Almond Flour Fudge Brownies | myhumblekitchen.com

Almond Flour Fudge Brownies

A Vegetable Curry

Quick Bake Einkorn Biscuits | myhumblekitchen.com

Quick Bake Einkorn Biscuits

View More Winter Recipes

#probioticseveryday

A Simple Recipe for Homemade Natural Fermented Pickles

Naturally Pickled Leafy Greens and Stems with Onions

Fermented Buckwheat Crunch - Gluten-Free

Fermented Buckwheat Crunch

How To Make Milk Kefir - A Probiotic Yogurt-Type Drink | myhumblekitchen.com

How To Make Milk Kefir – A Probiotic Yogurt-Type Drink

Homemade Yogurt | myhumblekitchen.com

Homemade Yogurt

View More Gut Healthy Recipes

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in