Tuna Nicoise Salad Recipe

"This is the perfect salad to serve family style. Similar to the Cobb salad, this is the French version. These are the amounts that I try to stick to; however, if you like more tomatoes, or olives; by all means, add as much as you want. This salad will serve 4 full plate servings or 8 smaller side salads. For presentation, I plate this in sections with every ingredient, so each person can take a little of each. And, to make this a bit easier ... prepare the eggs, beans, potatoes, and vinaigrette ahead of time. Then you are just left with a quick sear of the tuna and putting it all together. If served as a main dish, add a bowl of creamy soup of the side."

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Note: If making this to serve the same night - cut down on pots and pans, by using 1 deep saute pan that will allow you to cook your eggs, beans, potatoes and tuna all in the same pan. Otherwise, you can prepare many of these ingredients ahead of time.

Step 2

Eggs ... Use whatever method you prefer to cook your eggs. This is my method. Add cold water to the pan along with your eggs (room temp) and bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, cover and turn off the heat. Let them set 10 minutes. Rinse under cold water, peel and thin slice or chop. I prefer to slice mine.

Step 3

Potatoes ... After the eggs are done, add fresh cold water to your pan along with your potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium, simmer, and cook until fork tender. You don't want them to break apart. Once the potatoes are done, remove to a plate or bowl to cool.

Step 4

Green Beans ... Once again, add fresh cold water to your saute pan and bring to a boil. Add the beans and cook 2 minutes to blanch - they should be tender - but still crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking and keep the bright green color. Let them cool in the water just a minute, then transfer to a paper towel to drain.

Step 5

Vinaigrette ... Mix everything together and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 6

Salad ... Add your greens to a serving platter, top with onions, drizzle with a little of the vinaigrette and toss. Then begin to plate the other ingredients. The tomatoes in one corner, the olives next to that, the cooled potatoes, eggs, beans, and sprinkle the capers over the salad. Feel free to arrange it any way you like.

Step 7

Tuna ... Finish the salad up with seared tuna. In your same saute pan, add olive oil and bring to medium high-high heat. Season the tuna (room temperature) with salt and pepper on each side. Add the tuna and sear on each side for just a minute or two. You don't want to over cook the tuna. I prefer mine medium rare inside, just warm to the touch. Thin slice and add to your salad.

Step 8

Finish and Serve ... Drizzle with a bit more of the vinaigrette. ENJOY family style. A cup of soup makes this a perfect dinner. Or, it makes 8 wonderful starter salads.