Description
A classic Salade Niçoise featuring fresh vegetables, tender potatoes, perfectly cooked eggs, and quality tuna, all brought together with a flavorful dressing.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 head of lettuce, chopped, rinsed and dried (Boston, Bibb, whatever pleases you)
- 4 vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 5-7 small potatoes (red, fingerling, again whatever pleases you)
- 1/2 lb (230 g) of haricot verts (French green beans)
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half
- 10 anchovy fillets, drained
- 2 cans of good tuna packed in olive oil, such as albacore, drained
- 1/3 cup (50 g) of Niçoise olives
dressing
- juice of one lemon
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) of good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp (12 g) of dijon mustard
- 1/2 shallot, finely minced
- 1 tbsp (10 g) of minced fresh herbs, such as tarragon, basil, chives, parsley (optional)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- The Green Beans: Haricot verts are thinner, smaller green beans and I prefer them with this salad, but you can use whatever is available. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl with cold water and ice on the side. Dump your green beans into the pot and cook for about 6-7 minutes. Quickly drain your green beans and shock them in the bowl of cold water. This stops the cooking, leaving a bright green hue and crisp texture.
- The Potatoes: Fill a medium sized pot with water and put in your potatoes. Bring the water to a boil, and boil the potatoes until they are done (approximately 10-15 minutes, although this will vary depending on the size of them). You can tell they are done when you can stick a knife in one and it easily comes out. When they’ve cooled enough to handle, cut them into wedges and toss them in a couple spoonfuls of the salad dressing. Potatoes absorb flavor when they are warm.
- The Eggs: I love eggs. So when I see overcooked hard-boiled eggs with chalky yolks and rubbery whites, I just think what a shame. Just keep an eye on the time and you’ll end up with perfect eggs!
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Carefully, slide in your eggs (being careful not to crack them). Turn the heat down and gently simmer them for 9 minutes. Take the eggs out and put them in a bowl of cold water. When they’ve completely cooled, peel them and cut them in half lengthwise. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over them.
Dressing
- Put all the ingredients into a jar with a lid or any tightly-sealed container. Put the lid on and shake all the ingredients vigorously, et voilà! Taste the dressing to see if it needs more salt or pepper.
- Assemble all your ingredients and toss with the dressing and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality tuna packed in olive oil for the best flavor.
- Haricot verts are preferred for their thinness and tenderness.
- Shock green beans in ice water to preserve color and texture.
- Toss warm potatoes with dressing to enhance flavor absorption.
- Serve with a chilled glass of rosé for a complete experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 200mg