Classic Nicoise Salad Recipe - Fresh and Flavorful French Salad
A classic Nicoise salad, bursting with vibrant colors and fresh flavors, brings a taste of the French Riviera to your table. This recipe combines tender potatoes, green beans, crisp greens, hard-boiled eggs, briny olives, and seared tuna, all tossed in a zesty, homemade Dijon vinaigrette. Simple yet elegant, it’s perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Ingredients
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For the Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (like arugula and romaine)
- 1/2 lb (225g) small new potatoes, boiled and halved
- 1/2 lb (225g) green beans, trimmed and blanched
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives (such as Niçoise or Kalamata)
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna in olive oil, drained (or 2 fresh tuna steaks, seared and sliced)
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For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified. Set aside.
Assemble the salad. Lay a bed of mixed greens on a large platter or divide onto individual plates. Arrange the boiled potatoes, green beans, cherry tomatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs on top.
Add the tuna. Flake the canned tuna over the salad or, if using fresh tuna, season and sear in a hot pan with olive oil for 1-2 minutes per side until cooked to your preference. Slice and add to the salad.
Dress the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
Serve. Garnish with extra cracked black pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe tips
Freshly seared tuna gives a more authentic and delicious flavor. For a bright green color and a slight crunch, blanch the green beans in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then immediately plunge them into ice water. For extra flavor, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or basil to the vinaigrette.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
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