Orzo Nicoise Salad Recipes

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.

SHEET-PAN ROASTED SALMON NIçOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and place a rack near the top of the oven. Place the potatoes on a sheet pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Arrange the potatoes so the cut sides are facing down and roast for 20 minutes.
• While the potatoes roast, fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the eggs and cook over medium heat for exactly 6 minutes. Remove the eggs, and when they are cool enough to handle, peel and quarter them.
• Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, the garlic, anchovy (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in 4 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.
• Add the haricots verts, tomatoes and olives to the sheet pan with the potatoes, along with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using tongs, toss well, then move the vegetables to the sides to create space in the center of the sheet pan. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and place them, skin-side down, in the center of the sheet pan.
• Brush fillets with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast on the top rack in the oven for 10 minutes. Turn the broiler to high and broil for 2 to 3 minutes to lightly brown the salmon. (If you don't have a broiler, roast salmon for an additional 2 to 3 minutes instead.) The salmon should flake easily and be just cooked in the center.
• Add the greens to the large bowl with the dressing, and toss gently. Place greens on a large platter, leaving a narrow border at the platter's edges. Place the salmon fillets in the middle of the platter, then arrange the roasted vegetables and eggs around them. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
• Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

COLD-POACHED SALMON NICOISE SALAD WITH CRISPY POTATOES

Steps:

• For the salmon: Add the wine, Dijon mustard, dill sprigs and 1 cup of water to a large straight-sided skillet. Squeeze the juice from the halved lemon into the skillet and then add in the lemon halves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Sprinkle the salmon with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Once the liquid is simmering, gently add the salmon, skin-side-down, and turn the heat to low. Place the lemon slices on top of the salmon, cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. The salmon should easily flake apart with a fork. Carefully remove the salmon from the liquid and set on a plate. Cool completely.
• For the dressing: Add the vinegar, oil, dill, mustard, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake to emulsify. Set aside until ready to assemble the salad.
• For the salad: Add the potatoes to a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by 4-inches. Add a big pinch of salt and heat over medium high heat. Bring the potatoes to a boil and let cook until the potatoes are fork tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes to a plate. Reserve the pot with boiling water to use to cook the eggs and haricot vert.
• Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Bring the water back up to a boil, then add your eggs and cook for 7 minutes. Remove the eggs to the ice bath. Bring the water back up to a boil and add the haricot vert. Cook until they are tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the haricot vert to the ice bath. Drain and cut them into thirds and set aside until ready to assemble. Remove the eggs from the ice bath, peel and set aside.
• Using the flat base of a measuring cup or a glass, lightly smash the potatoes to expose some of the flesh. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Carefully add the potatoes into the pan, seasoning side down. Sprinkle the exposed side of the potatoes and cook until they are crispy and golden brown in places, about 4 minutes per side. Some potatoes may break apart, that's totally fine! Remove to a plate and set aside until ready to assemble.
• To assemble the salad: Arrange the frisee and romaine leaves on a large platter. Drizzle about half of the dressing and toss to coat. Top the lettuce with the crispy potatoes, haricot vert, tomatoes and olives. Flake the cooled salmon into large pieces and scatter it on top of the salad. Slice the eggs in half and nestle into the salad. Drizzle on the remaining dressing and serve.

NIçOISE ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of salted boiling water cook orzo until tender and drain in a colander. Rinse orzo well under cold water and drain well. Transfer orzo to a large bowl.
• In a small saucepan of salted boiling water cook beans until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain beans and add to orzo.
• Make dressing:
• In a blender blend together vinegar, lemon juice, anchovies, mustard, and garlic paste. With motor running add oil in a stream and blend until emulsified.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture with artichokes, tuna, bell pepper, onion, thyme, olives, and salt and pepper to taste and toss well. Salad may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before proceeding.
• Add arugula and toss well