Want to add a touch of French elegance to your next meal? Perhaps you’re eating less meat due to Lent or just dietary changes.
Look no further than the classic Niçoise salad. This vibrant dish originated in the city of Nice, located on the French Riviera, and is known for its colorful array of fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
While this dish is called a salad, and technically, it’s a composed salad, Nicoise Salad is really more of a platter with a little bit of greens. It is, however, pure deliciousness.
How to Make Nicoise Salad
Traditionally, Nicoise Salad is made with tuna packed in oil. However, we’ve chosen to use fresh, sushi grade ahi tuna instead.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Salad:
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 8 ounces green beans, trimmed
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces fingerling potatoes
- Water, to cover
- 1 pound sushi-grade Ahi tuna
- 1 large lemon, cut in half
- 1 cup mixed salad greens
- ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3 large eggs, hard-boiled and sliced
- ¼ cup Niçoise olives
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking sheet.
- In a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the dressing ingredients. Seal tightly and shake vigorously until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
- On the prepared baking sheet, place the green beans, drizzle with ½ tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Spread into a single layer and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, boil the potatoes in salted water for 8-10 minutes until fork-tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Roast the green beans in the oven for 5-6 minutes, flip halfway through cooking. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Brush the tuna steak with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill for 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside to cool.
- In a bowl, combine the salad greens and tomatoes. Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.
- Slice the potatoes and dress with a small amount of dressing. Dress the green beans as well.
- Arrange the seared tuna, salad greens, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and olives on a large serving platter.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if desired, and serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Nicoise Salad
When preparing a Niçoise salad, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients to enhance the flavors of the dish. Here are a few additional tips to consider:
Tuna: Use sushi-grade Ahi tuna for the best results. Make sure to sear it briefly on each side to maintain a pink center.
Green Beans: Cook the green beans until they are crisp-tender to retain their vibrant color and crunch.
Potatoes: Choose firm fingerling potatoes and cook them just until they are fork-tender. Overcooking can make them mushy.
Eggs: Hard-boil the eggs until they are fully cooked but still creamy in the center. Plunge them into ice water after boiling to make them easier to peel.
Olives: Niçoise olives are traditional for this salad, but you can use any variety you prefer.
Dressing: The dressing is key to this salad’s flavor. The combination of olive oil, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, and herbs creates a tangy and savory dressing that ties all the ingredients together.
Presentation: Arrange the ingredients on a large platter, placing each item in its own section for an attractive presentation. Drizzle some of the dressing over the top and serve the remainder of the dressing on the side.
Variations: While the classic Niçoise salad is made with these specific ingredients, feel free to customize it to your liking. You can add ingredients like artichoke hearts, radishes, or red onion for extra flavor and texture. This is a great way to use up leftovers.
Enjoying Your Niçoise Salad
The Niçoise salad is not only a feast for the senses, but also a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The tender green beans, creamy potatoes, and savory tuna are perfectly complemented by the tangy dressing. Each bite practically transports you to the sunny shores of the French Riviera.
Whether served as a light lunch or an elegant dinner, the Niçoise salad is sure to impress.