lomiloml
Culinary Explorer
I recently made French Salade Niçoise, and it was a fresh and vibrant experience! This classic salad from Nice, France, is a colorful medley of crisp vegetables, tender potatoes, briny olives, and rich tuna, all brought together with a zesty vinaigrette. Here’s how you can create this delicious and satisfying dish at home:
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 1 lb (450g) small new potatoes, halved
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 lb (225g) green beans, trimmed
- 1 head of butter lettuce or mixed greens
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna packed in olive oil, drained
- 4 anchovy fillets (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Potatoes and Green Beans:
- Place the halved potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In another pot of salted boiling water, cook the green beans until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Eggs:
- Place the eggs in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes. Remove the eggs and place them in ice water to cool. Once cooled, peel and quarter them.
3. Prepare the Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the Salad:
- On a large platter or individual plates, arrange a bed of lettuce or mixed greens.
- Artfully arrange the potatoes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and tuna on top of the greens.
- Add the quartered eggs and anchovy fillets (if using).
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and garnish with torn basil leaves.
Conclusion
French Salade Niçoise is a beautiful and delicious way to enjoy a variety of fresh ingredients in one dish. The combination of crisp vegetables, tender potatoes, protein-packed tuna, and a zesty vinaigrette creates a harmonious and satisfying meal. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad is sure to impress with its vibrant flavors and stunning presentation. Bon appétit!
