In the world of cuisine, where the boundaries between tradition and innovation are blurring, dishes are emerging that can completely change our perception of familiar recipes. Such a phenomenon is the "Coat" salad — a bright, spectacular, and incredibly delicious alternative to the legendary "Herring Under a Fur Coat" (Shuba). The recipe is attributed to food blogger Anastasia Tsareva, whose Instagram video caused a real frenzy among home cooking enthusiasts. The salad, layered in transparent dishware, resembles a luxurious coat with a bright hem of baked beetroot and a delicate "body" of crab sticks, eggs, and cheese.
Why the "Coat" is not just a salad, but a gastronomic statement
The "Coat" salad is not just a replacement of herring with crab sticks. It is a fundamentally different approach to texture, taste, and presentation. Unlike the "Shuba," where ingredients are mixed or laid out chaotically, the "Coat" requires a strict sequence: each layer must be visible, and each must perform its function. Transparent dishware here is not just decoration — it is part of the concept. The dish should look like a work of art, where each ingredient plays its role in the overall picture.
The key difference is the use of baked, not boiled, beetroot. Anastasia Tsareva insists: baked beetroot gives a richer, sweeter taste and does not release excess moisture, which is critical for maintaining the structure of the layers. Boiled beetroot, according to her, is "not the right coat" — it makes the salad watery and less expressive. This nuance, seemingly minor, is exactly what turns an ordinary salad into a gastronomic masterpiece.
Layering technology: from mayonnaise net to final accent
Preparing the "Coat" salad is a ritual that requires attention to detail. A thin net of mayonnaise is applied to the bottom of a transparent mold — this is not just a sauce, but a "foundation" that prevents the bottom layer from sticking. Then come finely chopped crab sticks — they should be fresh, without excess moisture. On top — pickled onions, which add piquancy, and again mayonnaise, but in moderation. The next layer — eggs grated on a fine grater, seasoned with salt and pepper, and again mayonnaise. Then — hard cheese, grated on a fine grater, and another layer of mayonnaise. The composition is completed by baked beetroot, grated on a coarse grater, and a final "net" of mayonnaise on top.
Important: the salad must stand in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 hours. This allows the flavors to "get along," and the layers to stabilize. After this, the dish is ready to serve — it looks like a multi-layered coat with a bright hem, which is impossible not to notice on the holiday table.
Why the "Coat" is becoming the trend of 2026
In 2026, when culinary trends are increasingly built on visual aesthetics and emotional engagement, the "Coat" salad fits perfectly into this paradigm. It is not only tasty but also "Instagrammable" — you want to photograph it, share it, discuss it. Food bloggers, chefs, and housewives around the world are already adapting the recipe to their liking: some add corn, some — avocado, some replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. But the basis remains unchanged: layers, transparent dishware, baked beetroot.
This salad has become a symbol of a new generation of cuisine — where not only taste matters, but also presentation, not only ingredients, but also the story. "Coat" is not just food. It is a way of saying: "I know how to cook beautifully".
Contradictory data
While most sources confirm Anastasia Tsareva's recipe, there are disagreements regarding some details. For example, in some versions of the recipe (in particular, in articles on news.ru and newsinfo.ru), the use of corn as an additional layer is mentioned, which is not indicated in the original video. There are also opinions that mayonnaise can be replaced with sour cream or yogurt for a lighter version — however, Anastasia insists on classic mayonnaise, as it binds the layers better.
Furthermore, in some sources the salad is called "Carnival" or "Crab Layered," which creates confusion in terminology. The XAB.info editorial office recommends using the name "Coat," as it most accurately reflects the concept of the dish and corresponds to the author's intent.
How to make "Coat" salad at home: step-by-step instructions
To prepare the "Coat" salad, you will need: crab sticks (200 g), pickled onions (1/2 onion), eggs (3 pcs.), hard cheese (100 g), baked beetroot (1 pc.), mayonnaise (to taste), salt, pepper. All ingredients should be chilled. Lay out the layers in transparent dishware, following the sequence. Let the salad stand in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Serve chilled, garnished with greens or seeds.
