The classic Niçoise Salad has many debates over its ingredients, even with the French! Discover the taste of the real, authentic recipe from Nice which results in a quicker preparation time of just 30 minutes.
6small violet artichokes (if in season)raw and sliced (or small raw fève beans)
Dressing
4tablespoonolive oilextra virgin
1clovegarlicchopped then crushed to a pulp
12fresh basil leavesfinely chopped
fleur de sel sea saltMaldon salt flakes or Celtic salt
pepper freshly milled
Instructions
First prepare the hard boiled eggs. Cook room temperature eggs for 10 minutes in simmering water. (If chilled eggs out of the fridge, cook for no longer than 15 minutes.) Leave to cool by plunging in cold water then peel shells while water still warm. Cut each in half.
Cut the tomatoes into quarters and salt slightly. Peel and halve the cucumber vertically, scoop out the seeds and slice finely. Chop the other fresh vegetables. Either assemble all ingredients mixed or compose an arrangement by each ingredient on the plate.
Dressing
Chop the garlic finely then, using a sharp knife, crush or press to a pulp. Add to a bowl of olive oil, stir in the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the salad.
Notes
Serve immediately to appreciate the freshest flavours or chill until ready to serve.
A Note on Ingredients
Use the best quality of fresh ingredients you can and find. Only the eggs are cooked in this salad (hard boiled).Tuna fish is often replaced by anchovies and vice versa. Small artichokes are often replaced by fresh fevettes (little beans) but both ingredients are only used when in season. Worried about the raw garlic? Instead rub the garlic clove on the presentation plate before dressing.Depending on the quality of tomatoes, these are often peeled (drop in boiling water for a minute first to peel) or replaced by cherry tomatoes.Each portion provides 14g of protein.
Keyword classic Niçoise salad, nicoise salad dressing, salade Niçoise, traditional french nicoise salad, tuna nicoise salad