ISO Salade Nicoise Recipe

[AndreaU]

Does anyone have a good recipe for Salade Nicoise? Not salmon, not pizza, just plain ol' salad. What's in it- potatoes, beans, tuna and ???

(TIA)

[Nancy171]

I've got this one from an old Martha Stewart Living. It's even low-fat...

Because I'm not very Martha-like I use jarred roasted red peppers and just coat the baking sheet with cooking spray, not parchment paper.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad
(Serves 6 -- if they're not very hungry)

6 new red potatoes, 1/2 inch wedges
1 red pepper
1 pound haricots verts, stems trimmed
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
2 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups spinach leaves, chopped
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 stalks celery, 1/4-inch dice
1 cucumber, seeded and halved lengthwise, 1/4 inch slices
2 scallions, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced
12 ounces water-packed solid white tuna, drained
6 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

Heat oven to 450 F. Place potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; roast until browned, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, roast red pepper over gas burner until charred on all sides. Place in a bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Set aside for 15 minutes. Remove skin and seeds; cut into 1-inch pieces.

Fill a bowl with water and ice; set aside. Bring a pot of water to a boil; add haricots verts. Cook until bright green and just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; transfer to the ice bath until cool. Drain agian, and set aside.

Place basil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons warm water in a blender, and puree until smooth. With motor running, add olive oil, and puree until combined. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine spinach, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, scallions, roasted potatoes and peppers, reserved basil puree, and tuna; toss. Divide haricots verts among six plates; top with tuna salad. Garnish with chopped Kalamata olives, and serve.