Chopped Nicoise Salad

May 11, 2015

Chopped Nicoise Salad




You can never go wrong with a classic.
We all have a favorite classic movie, song, and book. They may depend on the generation we’re from, but we can all agree on some. Like Someone Like It Hot, Born To Run, and On The Road.
They are classics with good reason. They have endured the test of time, proving their greatness over and over again. They bridge age and generational gaps and they’re awesome, just like that.

Prepping




Then there are classic recipes. And they are totally awesome just the way they are.
Burgers, chocolate chip cookies, ice-cream, spaghetti and meatballs, brownies, and even Nicoise salad.
Granted, Nicoise salad is not a classic American recipe (more like a classic French recipe) but a classic recipe nonetheless.
Which to me is like an old familiar friend — one I can always count on and that never fails to make me feel at ease.

Chopped Nicoise Salad




There's really not much to know about Nicoise Salad, other than how good it is.
I mean, I’m not reinventing the wheel here.
I took the traditional French recipe — that includes lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, tuna, anchovies, black olives, and eggs — and chopped everything into fairly small pieces.
The end result was a mixture of textures and flavors that was super fun to eat.

Chopped Nicoise Salad




I tend to stick to the classic Nicoise recipe but when no one’s looking I like to add an avocado, sometimes even some walnuts or a couple of sun-dried tomatoes.
You may also add other things such as corn, onions, artichokes, bell peppers, and radishes.
The sky’s the limit!
Even though the French would probably turn up their noses.

Chopped Nicoise Salad


With this Chopped Nicoise Salad I’m just reminding you (and myself) not to forget about the classics. Alrite?

Chopped Nicoise Salad                                                                                                  Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 4

2 large (free-range organic) eggs
12 oz / 340 gr red potatoes, peeled and cut into small dices
8 oz / 220 gr green beans
2 medium tomatoes, diced
4 tablespoons black olives, cut into slivers
5 oz / 140 gr herb salad mix or sliced romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 (5 oz / 140 gr) cans tuna in water, drained (I used Wild Planet wild albacore tuna)
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1 tablespoon chopped anchovies fillets (optional)

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
Fine grain sea salt

Directions

Put the eggs in medium saucepan and cover with cold water by a ½-inch. Bring to a gently boil over medium-high heat. When the eggs start rattling against the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat, cover with a lid, and let sit for 12 minutes. Remove and run under cool water. Peel the eggs, roughly chop them, and put in the refrigerator.
In the meantime, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add diced potatoes and cook for about 10 minutes (you want the potatoes to retain a bit of crunch). Fish them out of the water with a slotted spoon, drain and let cool.
Add the green beans to water and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a cutting board, chop them, and set aside.
Shake olive oil, vinegar, and salt in a tightly-lidded container or whisk together in a small bowl. Set aside.
To serve, combine in a large salad bowl (or in 4 individual bowls), herb salad mix, eggs, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, black olives, capers, tuna, and anchovies (if using). Stir in vinaigrette.
Serve immediately.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 389 calories, 22 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbs, and 24 grams of protein.

25 comments:

  1. Looks amazing Mike, what a great looking salad!

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  2. Ah this looks incredible!! I have been so turned off tuna lately (probably because I was eating it out of the can when too busy to prep) but this reminds of all the awesome things you can do with it. To Nicoise I go!

    Jill
    Latest Post - How to Digest Dairy Bloat Free: Stress, Enzymes, and Greek Yogurt

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    Replies
    1. Tuna is a glorious food indeed that should be never eaten out of the can ;)

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  3. THIS IS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE SALAD ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET... Maybe because I am FRENCH?? ;)

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  4. Ah, the Boss! He's a legend...and for good reason! But you know what else is boss? This salad. I love a good Nicoise salad...and now I am seriously craving tuna. Well done, Alpha, well done. #WolfpackBoss

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    Replies
    1. The Boss is legend just like a Nicoise...nah, much more than a Nicoise. The Boss is the Boss, he's OAK!

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  5. This is what summer tastes like to me. So perfect :)

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  6. Yum! I try to have a salad at least once a day, but I definitely get into a rut with them. With the green beans and the potatoes, this looks like a great way to change it up! :-)

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    Replies
    1. The funny thing is that you never get tired of Nicoise salad, there's something about it, I'm telling you!

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  7. Wow Mike way to un-French a salad.....in the best way possible! Using the classic as a base then pimpin it up- I'm a fan!

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  8. John, Salade niçoise is certainly one of the classic recipes out there that we enjoy so much - kids and adults alike! Beautiful colors, great flavors and wonderful recipe!
    Andrea

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    Replies
    1. Indeed Andrea, Nicoise salad is a dish every one seems to love!

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  9. See this salad at lunch time :P

    http://cocojeans.blogspot.pt/

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  10. You sure are right about Classics bridging age and generational gaps - sometimes I make my daughter listen to my 80's tunes and even though she verbally protests, I catch her bobbing her head to them tunes!
    Dude - my salad today pails in comparison to this...

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  11. I really like this classic salad, and anchovies are never optional for me because I'm a fan! Adding avocados is a good idea.

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    1. I'm right there with you on anchovies, never optional in my book!

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  12. This blog with healthy recipe looks great and amazing . This is pretty cool, perfect for healthy eating. The images also looks very nutritious and delicious it attracts me. I think my husband will enjoy this Chopped Nicoise Salad recipe. I want also to share this with my friends. I am excited to try this awesome recipe. Thanks for sharing your recipe as free. Nice blog post indeed.

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  13. Something about a classic recipe is so comforting, whenever I'm making an old favorite, everything just seems right with the world! Beautiful pictures and thanks for reminding me to slow down sometimes on the new flavors and revisit the classics!

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  14. Hi Mike,

    me again :)

    Not only am I French, but I'm also from Nice.

    So sorry to be the party pooper again but a true salade niçoise does not have any cooked veggie in it. I know you see it everywhere with potatoes and beans, but you sure wouldnt see it in Nice :)

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