Tuna Nicoise Salad With Parmesan Food

SALAD NICOISE WITH SEARED TUNA

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a mason jar. Screw the cap on the jar and shake the vinaigrette vigorously to emulsify. Set the dressing aside while preparing the salad so the flavors can marry.
• Cooking the potatoes, eggs, and green beans in the same pot cuts down on prep time and clean up. To do this, put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add water to cover and a nice pinch of salt; bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer the potatoes for 12 minutes to give them a head start, and then add the eggs. Place a steamer basket or colander on top of the simmering water. Put the green beans in the steamer and cover with a lid. Steam the beans for 5 minutes until crisp-tender while continuing to cook the potatoes until fork tender. Drain out the water and put the potatoes, eggs, and green beans in a colander; rinse briefly under cold water. Peel the shells off the eggs and cut them in 1/2 lengthwise.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rub the tuna on all sides with olive oil, and a bit of the vinaigrette; season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Lay the tuna in the hot pan and sear for approximately 2 minutes on each side; as the tuna cooks, the red meat will become whiter. Transfer the tuna to a cutting board and slice.
• To assemble the salad: combine the potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, capers, and chives in a large mixing bowl. Take the vinaigrette and give it another good shake to recombine. Drizzle the salad with enough vinaigrette to fully moisten and toss gently to coat; season with salt and pepper. Take care not to mush up the ingredients - the important thing about salad nicoise is that it is arranged nicely on a platter with all the elements keeping their individual integrity. Put the tossed salad down the center of a serving platter and lay the seared tuna attractively across the top and the eggs around the rim. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve.

TUNA NIçOISE SALAD WITH TAHINI DRESSING

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450˚. Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Spread out on the hot pan and roast until tender and browned on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Carefully add the eggs to the pot of water; adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the yolks are jammy, 7 minutes. Drain the eggs and run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Peel the eggs and cut each into 4 wedges.
• While the eggs are cooking, make the dressing: Whisk the tahini, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Thin with more water, if necessary.
• Toss the lettuce in a large bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates. Top with the tuna, roasted carrots, green beans, radishes, olives and eggs. Drizzle with the tahini dressing and sprinkle with za'atar.

TUNA NICOISE SALAD WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Add the mesclun greens to bowl with dressing and toss. Put greens on platter and set bowl aside with leftover dressing, to drizzle over other ingredients at end.
• Slice tuna steaks on bias and arrange on top of greens. Scatter the olives and cherry or grape tomatoes over the salad. Add the reserved, cooked and cut Yukon gold potatoes and reserved green beans. Drain capers and scatter on top of greens. With kitchen shears, snip the parsley over the salad. Sprinkle shredded Parmesan over top of salad along with any leftover dressing.

CLASSIC TUNA NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 2 medium pots of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes to 1 pot and blanch until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain in a colander, pat dry, and set aside. Add the green beans to the other pot and blanch until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander, pat dry, and set aside.
• Arrange the tuna on a cutting board and cut into 4 equal portions. Season the tuna steaks with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, each. Heat the oil in a large skillet (or 2 medium skillets), over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the rosemary sprigs and tuna steaks and sear, about 30 seconds per side for medium-rare. Remove from the pan and dice the tuna into 1-inch pieces.
• Tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces and combine with chopped fresh parsley and tarragon. Toss with enough of the Anchovy Dressing just to coat. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. Toss the potatoes and green beans in 1/4 cup of the Anchovy Dressing. Arrange the lettuce along the side of 4 large plates (or 1 serving platter). Spoon the vegetables along the other side of the plate. Arrange the diced tuna over the lettuce. Arrange the tomatoes, olives, sliced red onions, and eggs on the other sides of the plates (or serving platter). Garnish with additional herbs if desired and serve immediately.
• In a medium bowl, mash the anchovy, salt, pepper, and garlic into a paste with the back of a fork. Add the egg and whisk well to blend. Add the lemon juice and mustard, and whisk well. Add the oils in a steady stream, whisking constantly to form a thick emulsion. Add the shallots, capers and Worcestershire, whisk well, and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

NICOISE SALAD WITH GRILLED TUNA

Steps:

• Brush tuna with lemon, olive oil, and pepper. Grill to desired degree of doneness. Set aside.
• Thoroughly combine dressing ingredients. Set aside. (We usually have a little dressing leftover).
• Heat water to boiling. Cook potatoes until tender, cool in iced water until room temperature. Remove, and pat dry. Cook green beans until crisp-tender, cool in iced water. Remove and pat dry.
• Toss salad greens and onion together. Drizzle with dressing, toss, and divide between two plates. Divide tuna between plates, and center on lettuce.
• Toss potatoes with 1-1/2 T. dressing, divide between the plates. Toss green beans with 1/2 T. dressing, and divide between the plates. Divide remaining vegetables and eggs between the plates, arranging attractively. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

QUICK NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 8-10 minutes, adding green beans during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain potatoes and beans; immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a small bowl, combine salad dressing, lemon zest and pepper. Divide romaine among 4 plates; arrange potatoes, green beans, eggs, tuna and tomatoes over romaine. Serve with dressing mixture.