Salade Niçoise

Salade Niçoise is a classic French country salad that combines an array of fresh ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. While the ingredients can vary based on what’s in season, the salad typically includes lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, anchovy fillets, black olives, tomatoes, and a garlic-infused dressing. Tuna is a common addition, but it’s optional. Other possible additions include cooked green beans, potatoes, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, capers, and basil. This salad can be arranged on a platter or tossed together for easy serving.

MAKES: 4 servings

TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups torn assorted lettuces and other salad greens
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 cup good black olives, preferably Niçoise or any oil-cured variety
• 3 ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into quarters or eighths
• 6 anchovies
• One or two 7-ounce cans of tuna, preferably packed in olive oil, or 12 ounces of grilled fresh tuna, cut into chunks
• 1/8 cup red wine vinegar, plus more if needed
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, more or less
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Arrange the torn lettuce and salad greens on a platter. If you prefer, you can also toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Top the greens with sliced hard-boiled eggs, black olives, tomato quarters or eighths, anchovies, and tuna chunks.
3. In a separate bowl, make the vinaigrette by combining red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, minced shallot, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir or shake vigorously to emulsify the dressing.
4. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more vinegar if desired.
5. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, ensuring that all the ingredients are coated.
6. Serve the Salade Niçoise immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors and textures.

Salade Niçoise is a classic French salad that showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh ingredients. This versatile salad allows for variations based on seasonal produce and personal preferences. The combination of lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes, anchovies, and tuna (optional) creates a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. The garlic-infused dressing adds a zesty and aromatic touch to the salad. Whether arranged beautifully on a platter or tossed together for easy serving, Salade Niçoise is a delightful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. Embrace the flavors of the French countryside with this classic salad and savor its refreshing and satisfying qualities.