Russian Salad and Moments {part II}

Is the beauty of the countryside around here that reminds me of my little province. Sometimes is a particular place and sometimes the combined smells of trees and flowers, or the simplicity of  the smell of moist earth after a rain. It was this same distinctive scent of rain that lead my mind to treasured memories. The kind of memories that make you feel thoughtful and kind.And that reminds you to never forget about the beautiful small things in life. It happened during our last trip, while we were re-visiting some of the local farms and markets in the area. I was looking for fruits and veggies but I was particularly looking for peas! It was the only ingredient that I was missing to compliment the side salad that already had in mind for our dinner. I wanted to make "Ensalada Rusa" Russian Salad {a traditional salad that we Argentinians enjoy to eat as a side salad} -Then after  wandering for a while I found the precious peas at a little farmer's stand that was also showing up some gorgeous beetroots and homemade jams. The day was rainy, warm and the salty breezes brought a foggy afternoon.And as soon as we unpacked the goodies we bought I grabbed the pages of an old newspaper, put it on the table and started to remove the peas from their pods. It was just at that very moment that my mind and heart when back in time to my childhood and remembered the days of  ''peeling green peas'' sitting next to my grandfather's chair, while my grandmother would smiled at me and tell me *with encouraging words*: "Muy Bien" "Very good". And for a moment that 'almost' forgotten memory became alive and fresh once again. It's that same feeling of kindness and accomplishment  that I never want to forget, no matter how challenging or busy life might become.
Never cease to amaze me how certain things can evoke such precious memories! So I made Ensalada Rusa the way my Grandmother used to. It's a combination potatoes, carrots, peas, green apple, parsley with the addition of mayonnaise.And it can be served as a side salad. This salad is very fulfilling and the green apple and parley enhances the flavors wonderfully. 
I leave you with this recipe and as promised more photographs from our trip, visiting the countryside, produce from local farms and the discovery of the goldfruit a citric fruit that combines mandarin, orange and grapefruit flavor in one fruit. I can not tell you in words how exquisite this citric fruit is! I made a sweet and savory salad with a couple of this 'new to my knowledge' fruit. And you can see the picture that I took with my phone here at my instagram blog.  I hope you are having a wonderful start of the week!
 Russian Salad My Style {Potatoes + Carrots + Green Apples + Parsley + Mayonnaise} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Serves 4
5 Medium Potatoes, diced 1 Big Carrot, diced 1 C. Fresh Green Peas*  1 Green Apple, diced 1/2 C. Fresh Parsley, finely chopped Mayonnaise to taste Preparation: In a pot add potatoes and carrots and bring them to a boil until vegetables become tender.Boil peas in a separate pot {they tend to cook quickly than the potatoes and carrots}until tender.When ready drain all vegetables and let them cool down completely. In a bowl add vegetables, diced apple, parsley and mayonnaise and mix everything together.  *For this recipe you can also use frozen peas or if not available to you, use canned peas.


Ensalada Rusa