What's for Dinner? Salade Nicoise!

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating two of our best friends', Tim and Meredith's, wedding.  It was a weekend of partying (for those of us who aren't pregnant) and eating (times two for me!).  Usually after weekends like this, we have salad Mondays, to make us feel a little better about ourselves.  One of my favorite salads to do is a Salade Nicoise, a classic salad you find all over France.  It is really easy, filling and tasty. Good thing, too...I got a last minute call from my friend Missy asking me to watch her baby for a few hours.  It was actually great practice for having a household with two young kids, and I was proud of us.  Between Sully and I, we got Finn fed, got the salad made, ate, and occupied baby Mari all at the same time.  Piece of cake!  :)  I put the (mostly) classic Nicoise ingredients in here, but feel free to mix it up with things you like, although this combination is really fantastic.  The dressing is a little tangy on it's own, but combined with the other flavors of the salad, it goes perfectly.  Enjoy!


Salade Nicoise
Serves 2

2 small to medium red potatoes, steamed until soft
1 small bag French green beans, steamed or microwaved until soft
1/2 bag romaine or butter lettuce
1 Roma tomato, sliced
10 pitted Kalamata olives, sliced in half
2 hardboiled eggs, sliced
8 anchovy fillets
8 marinated mushrooms, quartered
2 TBSP capers
1 can or jar of good albacore tuna, packed in olive oil
Nicoise Dressing (recipe to follow)

In two large salad bowls, split all ingredients in half and layer in bowls.  Top with dressing.

Nicoise Dressing
Serves 4 (about 1.5 TBSP each)

juice of 1/2 lemon
1 TBSP red wine or white wine vinegar
2 TBSP dijon mustard
1 clove garlic
1 shallot, cut in large pieces
2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp minced fresh tarragon (can omit if you don't have this)
kosher salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a mini prep food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add more olive oil to mellow it out a bit. Serve over salad.

Download PDF of Recipe