If you are an avid salad lover and seeking some summer dish that is both light and refreshing, then niçoise salad might be a good contender. Originating from the southeastern region of France, specifically the city of Nice, this dish is characterized by its vibrant bursts of flavor and colorful ingredients. The combination of fresh and crisp greens, succulent tuna, salty olives, boiled eggs, and juicy tomatoes makes it a delightful and visually appealing meal. Drizzled with a flavorful vinaigrette made from basil, anchovies, and lemon, this salad offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes, leaving you feeling refreshed and satisfied.
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SALADE NIçOISE
This salad was inspired by a classic Salade Niçoise with its fresh anchovies, potatoes and green beans, and one offered to me by Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse, who comes to France every year to avail herself of, among other things, the fine green beans of summer.
Provided by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Yield Serves 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Make the vinaigrette:
- In a large bowl make the vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar and the mustard. Slowly whisk in the oil in a thin stream to emulsify the mixture. Stir in the garlic and the onions. Mince the parsley and add it, with the tarragon and chervil, to the dressing, mixing well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Make the Salad:
- Rinse the tuna, pat it dry and refrigerate it until just before cooking.
- Build a small fire in a barbecue. When the coals are red and dusted with ash, spread them out, and lay the rosemary atop them. Set the grill atop the coals. Rub the tuna on all sides lightly with olive oil, and place on the grill. Cover the grill, leaving the vents open, so the tuna grills and smokes at the same time. Grill until the tuna is lightly golden and almost cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully turn the tuna and cook until it is golden on the other side and opaque through, an additional 5 to 7 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the heat of the fire, so check it carefully. Transfer the tuna to a plate, season it lightly all over with salt and pepper, and let it cool to room temperature. When it is cool enough to handle, carefully remove the skin and any bones. Drizzle it on both sides with about 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette, then reserve at room temperature.
- Drain the anchovies of oil and pat them dry.
- Bring 4 cups water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer. Add half the beans, cover, and steam until they are tender firm, about 6 minutes. Remove from the steamer and let cool on a wire rack covered with a cotton tea towel. Repeat with the remaining beans.
- Transfer one-third of the dressing to a medium sized bowl.
- Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil, and add the potatoes. Cook just until they are tender through, about 15 minutes. Drain. If you want to peel them, do so as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Add them, still warm, to the one-third of the vinaigrette. Toss, and reserve.
- To assemble the salad, just before serving toss the beans and the peppers with enough vinaigrette to fully moisten them, and arrange them in the center of a serving platter. Top them with the anchovy fillets, arranging them attractively on top. Quarter the eggs, and place them, with the tomatoes, around the beans and peppers. Drizzle them with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
- Place the potatoes on another platter. Break the tuna apart into large pieces, and arrange the pieces attractively atop the potatoes. Sprinkle with the olives. Drizzle with any remaining vinaigrette, and garnish with several sprigs of parsley and chervil. Serve immediately.
SALADE NIçOISE
This classic French salad, with its vibrant composition of fresh and cooked vegetables, unctuous oil-cured tuna, anchovies, and soft-boiled eggs, is filling enough to be a meal. Chef Boulud offers two options for dressing: a simple garnish of lemon and oil, or his grandmother's cherished vinaigrette recipe.
Provided by Daniel Boulud
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- Potatoes: Fill a small saucepan with water. Add potatoes, thyme sprig, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Haricots vert: Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. When boiling, add a big pinch of salt, followed by haricots verts. Cook until tender with a slight snap, 4-9 minutes depending on size. Eggs: Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil. When boiling, use a spoon to gently ease eggs into the water. Cook exactly 7½ minutes. Meanwhile, prepare two ice baths: Fill two large bowls with water and plenty of ice.
- Scallions: Trim away the very end of the root while keeping scallion intact; remove the thick outer layer. Cut away the dark green top, leaving a 3-inch length of white and light-green scallion. Make several 1-inch vertical cuts down the top to create a scallion "brush." Repeat with all the scallions and place them in an ice bath to preserve freshness. Radishes: Slice each radish lengthwise into thin slices. Set aside.
- When beans are mostly tender with a touch of firmness, use a strainer to transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Remove eggs and place them into the same ice bath. Check potatoes for doneness by piercing one with a knife; there should be no resistance. Remove potatoes and set aside; discard thyme and bay leaf. Peel eggs, slice in half lengthwise, and set aside.
- Assembly: On a serving platter, layer the Boston lettuce, followed by the baby gem. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and distribute evenly, followed by haricots verts, scallions, whole tomatoes, radish, large chunks of tuna, and eggs. Garnish with leaves of basil and chervil.
- Pit olives (optional): Place olives on a flat surface. Press the bottom of a small bowl on the olives to loosen their pits; remove and discard the pits. Scatter the pitted olives over the salad. Next, tuck small bunches of arugula within the lettuce. Finally, finish assembling the salad by laying about 10 anchovies evenly across the top.
- Chef Boulud offers two options for dressing the salad. Lemon & Oil Dressing: Zest lemon evenly over the salad, then sprinkle with lemon juice. Drizzle with olive oil, and finish with pepper and salt. (Note: Use salt with moderation, since the tuna and anchovies are already salted.) Grand-Mère's Vinaigrette: In a bowl, add the sliced garlic and a pinch of salt. Use a fork to mash the garlic into a coarse paste. Add mustard, vinegar, and pepper; stir to combine. Add olive oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly with the fork to emulsify. Add a teaspoon of water at a time, whisking between additions, to thin vinaigrette as desired. Place vinaigrette into a serving dish and serve alongside the salad.
NIçOISE SALAD WITH BASIL AND ANCHOVY-LEMON VINAIGRETTE
Here, I've riffed on a classic French salade niçoise. I save the anchovy for the dressing, but anchovy admirers can add more for garnish - and anchovy avoiders can simply leave them out. The only cooking is boiling the potatoes and haricots verts, which can be done together in the same pot. You can add a boiled egg if you like. Dressing the vegetables while warm helps them absorb all the good flavors more deeply, making this a salad that manages to be intense and light at the same time. Which is just what you want in the steamiest time of the year.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories salads and dressings
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the vinaigrette: Using the flat side of a knife, smash garlic clove, anchovy fillets and salt into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in lemon juice, zest and mustard. Using a whisk, slowly pour in olive oil while stirring constantly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover them with 2 or 3 inches of cold water. Salt the water and bring to a boil. When water comes to a boil, continue cooking potatoes until fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes more. Add haricots verts during the last 1 minute of cooking (if using regular green beans, add them during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking depending on how thin they are). Drain vegetables and let sit until cool enough to handle but still quite warm. Halve potatoes, transfer to a small bowl along with the haricots verts and dress everything to coat with some (but not all) of the vinaigrette. When completely cool, toss in chopped basil.
- On a large platter or four individual plates, arrange potatoes and haricots verts, radishes or cucumbers, tomatoes and tuna, and hard-boiled eggs, if using. Scatter olives over the top and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Serve garnished with freshly ground black pepper, flaky sea salt and torn basil leaves.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 410, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 29 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 593 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- To make the most flavorful vinaigrette, use high-quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice. You can also add a touch of Dijon mustard or minced garlic for extra flavor.
- If you don't have anchovies on hand, you can substitute Worcestershire sauce or fish sauce.
- Be sure to rinse the niçoise olives well before using them. This will remove any excess salt and bitterness.
- If you're using canned tuna, be sure to drain it well and flake it before adding it to the salad.
- For a heartier salad, add some cooked potatoes, green beans, or hard-boiled eggs.
- Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Niçoise salad is a classic French dish that is perfect for a summer meal. It is light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. With its combination of fresh vegetables, protein, and a tangy vinaigrette, it's a salad that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a delicious and healthy meal, give niçoise salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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