The Parisian Salad, the Simple Elegance of Bistro Cuisine – The Parisian salad, also called bistro saladThis is an iconic recipe from French brasseries. Colorful, generous, and well-balanced, it perfectly combines the freshness of raw vegetables with the richness of ham, Gruyère cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. Easy to prepare, it's suitable for all seasons and can be enjoyed as a starter or a light main course. It's a complete, typically French salad that evokes Parisian terraces and quick lunches with elegance.
🛒 Ingredients for 4 people
- 200g of skinless cooked ham, cut into strips
- 150g of Gruyère or Emmental cheese, cut into cubes
- 4 hard-boiled eggs
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1 heart of lettuce or a few Batavia leaves
- 1 grated carrot (optional)
- 1 minced shallot
- 4 tablespoons of sunflower or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar or mustard
- Salt, pepper
👨🍳 Preparing the Parisian Salad
Prepare the vegetables
Wash the lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber. Cut the tomatoes into quarters, the cucumber into slices, and grate the carrot if you are using it.Cook the eggs
Cook the eggs for 9 minutes in boiling water. Cool them, peel them, then cut them into quarters.Assemble the salad
In a large salad bowl or directly onto plates, arrange the salad, raw vegetables, ham strips, cheese cubes and eggs.Prepare the vinaigrette
In a bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper. Pour over the salad just before serving.
🍷 Tips & Variations
- Add some homemade croutons for extra crunch.
- For a lighter version, replace the Gruyère with mozzarella.
- This salad can also be served in a jar for a packed lunch.
The Parisian salad perfectly embodies the spirit of French cuisine: simple, balanced and full of flavor.
Easy to prepare, it's perfect for any occasion, from a quick lunch to a light dinner. By combining everyday ingredients with an elegant presentation, it proves that you can have both deliciousness and freshness without any fuss. Whether you're a fan of traditional cuisine or prefer quick meals, this salad is a sure-fire addition to your recipe collection.
