Recipe

Classic French Countryside Salad

Rustic Delights: A Taste of the French Countryside

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the flavors of the French countryside with this classic Salade paysanne recipe. Bursting with fresh ingredients and vibrant colors, this salad is a delightful combination of crisp vegetables, tender potatoes, savory bacon, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Salad› Salade paysanne

European cuisine› Western European cuisine› French cuisine

Preparation time

15 minutes

Cooking time

10 minutes

Total time

25 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free, Low-carb

Allergens

N/A

Not suitable for

Vegan, Paleo, Keto, High-protein, Low-fat

Ingredients

4 cups (120g) lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces 4 cups (120g) lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
2 medium tomatoes, sliced 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced 1 cucumber, sliced
4 radishes, thinly sliced 4 radishes, thinly sliced
2 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed 2 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed
4 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled 4 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 4g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 3g
Protein: 8g
Fiber: 3g
Salt: 1g

Preparation

1.
In a large bowl, combine the torn lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, and boiled potatoes.
2.
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil to make the vinaigrette.
3.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5.
Sprinkle the crispy bacon crumbles over the top of the salad.
6.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

Potatoes — Make sure to boil the potatoes until they are tender but still hold their shape. Overcooking them can result in a mushy texture for the salad.

Tips & Tricks

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add some crumbled feta cheese or toasted nuts for added flavor and texture.
Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables such as bell peppers or green beans to customize the salad to your liking.
To make the salad more substantial, you can add some grilled chicken or shrimp on top.
If you prefer a creamier dressing, you can mix in a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the vinaigrette.
To add a touch of sweetness, sprinkle some dried cranberries or raisins over the salad.

Serving advice

Serve the Salade paysanne as a light lunch or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. It pairs well with a crusty baguette.

Presentation advice

Arrange the salad on a large platter, layering the colorful vegetables and potatoes. Sprinkle the crispy bacon crumbles on top for an enticing visual appeal.