Northwest Niçoise Recipes

NORTHWEST NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients except the oil. Drizzle in the oil, whisking, until the dressing has slightly thickened. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 1½ quarts (6 cups) of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Use tongs or a small strainer to lift the beans from the water. Put them into a bowl and cover with cold water and ice to stop the cooking. Drain after 5 minutes.
• Cook the potatoes in the boiling water for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are fork-tender. Drain and cut the warm potatoes in half, leaving them at room temperature.
• Place the eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water to an inch above the eggs. Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat; cover and let the eggs sit for 12 minutes. Peel and slice them into quarters.
• Brush the salmon fillet with olive oil, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Heat the grill to medium high, and cook the salmon until the flesh is opaque.
• Divide the lettuce between the individual plates. Arrange the salad ingredients over the lettuce. Drizzle the herb dressing over the salad. Lay the salmon on top while it is slightly warm or at room temperature.

CLASSIC NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl; drizzle with the wine and let cool. Reserve the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, bring a separate saucepan of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with salted ice water. Add the haricots verts to the boiling water; cook until crisp-tender and bright green, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into the ice water to cool; drain and pat dry.
• Place the eggs in the reserved saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified.
• Toss the tomatoes ian a small bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Add about 1/4 cup dressing to the potatoes and toss. Quarter the hard-cooked eggs.
• Divide the lettuce among 4 plates. Arrange the potatoes, haricots verts, radishes, hard-cooked eggs and tuna on top. Pour any juices from the tomatoes into the dressing, then add the tomatoes to the plates. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the olives.

NORTHWEST NIçOISE

Steps:

• To make the dressing, using a food processor or blender, puree the piquillo peppers, chives, olives, garlic, olive oil, rice vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
• Reserve the feathery tops of the fennel and slice the bulb in half. Cut out the core, and then thinly slice the fennel. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and fennel and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fennel begins to turn translucent. Remove it to a large serving bowl.
• While the fennel is cooking, slice the potatoes in half lengthwise, and then slice them again crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons.
• Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel, return it to high heat, and melt the butter in it. Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook the potatoes for 2 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Reduce the heat to medium, flip the potatoes, and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender. Remove the potatoes to the bowl with the fennel. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• While the vegetables cool, blanch the green beans for 2 minutes in a pot of salted boiling water and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well. Add the green beans, cherry tomatoes, and tuna to the bowl with the fennel and potatoes. Add two-thirds of the dressing to the salad and toss.
• To serve, garnish with the olives, remaining dressing, and reserved fennel tops.
• The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead.