salad nicoise. {grain-free & dairy-free}

20 January 2012

Okay, I know there are very specific standards for this French salad. Like vegetables should not be cooked or seared tuna is a no-go or tinned tuna or anchovies are okay--but not together. It is also considered a summer salad, but...whatever. Don't get me wrong, I love food traditions. I love that regions fight over the authenticity of a particular food.

This, is my easy-peasy, probably-have-most-of-the-ingredients-in-the-pantry recipe. The dressing listed here is my go-to dressing that I make all the time & get requests for.

Still sticking to my dairy-free, wheat-free life-style at the moment this super satisfying dinner fits the bill. Oh, & eating salad for dinner leaves a little room for some wine, right?

a salad nicoise. 

for two

a couple of good handfuls of organic mixed greens, (luckily we can still get some locally--hooray Flying Pond Farm) or 2 hearts of romaine

--Place on the bottom of your bowls.

a handful of small fingerling potatoes, washed (I used about 6 adorable little purple potatoes)

3-4 organic eggs

a dash of sea salt

a big handful of green beans, topped & cleaned

1. Cover the potatoes & eggs with water in a medium stock pot. Add a dash of sea salt. Bring to a boil & then turn down the heat to medium. 
2. When the potatoes are starting to get tender, toss in the green beans.
3. When the potatoes are tender (pierced easily with a fork) pour everything into a strainer & rinse with cold water. 
4. When everything is cool enough, peel the eggs & roughly slice, cut the potatoes in half, & roughly chop the green beans. 

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (or your favorite tomato that may be in season)

1 small red onion, sliced or 3 scallions, chopped

1 can of tuna packed in olive oil, drained

a handful of black olives, preferably nicoise, pitted

1. Layer all the goods on the greens. Toss with the dressing & cracked pepper.

perfect jam-jar dressing.

3 TBL extra-virgin olive oil

1 TBL red wine vinegar

1 TBL pure maple syrup

1 tsp Dijon mustard

pinch of sea salt

--Put all the ingredients in a jam-jar & shake...It's really fun.

happy eatings & cheers!