Now I’m not a big fan of salads - usually they’re a bit too boring for me and I struggle forcing all the lettuce down. That being said I do enjoy a good Nicoise. I think that’s because there’s so much in it that it doesn’t feel like it’s a salad! I pretty much go with the flow when I create it but I thought I’d better look up a proper recipe. The one I found at Calorie King even has a healthy alternative that’s well worth a look.

nicoise-salad

 

Good old Nicoise salad

Serves:6

Ingredients

- 1 large lettuce

- 450g cooked green beans

- 1/2 small onion, chopped

- vinaigrette

- 1 pinch each of salt and freshly ground black pepper

- 4 tomatoes, cut into wedges (I sometimes use baby tomatoes)

- 4 new potatoes, peeled

- 2 (3 oz) cans tuna in brine

- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled, halved

- 1 can anchovy fillets

- A few black olives

Method

1) Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add cubed potatoes, return to the boil and simmer for five minutes or until tender, but firm. Drain potatoes and set aside.

2) In a large bowl, mix together vinaigrette, onion and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in tuna and olives. Gently stir in potatoes.

3) To serve, arrange lettuce, top with potato mixture, then garnish with tomatoes, green beans, anchovies, and eggs.

Hectic Mum top tip:

You can really deviate from the recipe quite a bit here - take out the eggs and anchovies for a healthier option or throw in some more greens - cucumber and spring onions work well. The Beeb have a great recipe for warm salmon Nicoise salad too - well worth a go!