Tuna Niçoise Canapes Nicoise Food

TUNA NICOISE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water with a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 minutes, until both the whites and yolks are fully set (hard-boiled). Transfer to a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking. Peel the eggs, then thinly slice.
• Meanwhile, place the red onion in a small bowl and cover with ice water. Soak for 5 to 15 minutes (this will remove some of the sharp, raw onion flavor). Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Drain all of the oil from the tuna fillets, then break up into bite-size pieces. Fold the tuna into the dressing until evenly coated.
• Cut the demi baguette in half crosswise, then halve each piece lengthwise to create 2 sandwiches. Spread the tapenade on the inside of the sandwich tops. Layer the tomato, red onion, egg and tuna on each sandwich bottom, dividing evenly. Top with the cucumber and spring greens, then close the sandwiches. Wrap each sandwich in parchment and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 hours. Alternatively, cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately.

TUNA NIçOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toss the potatoes with 2 tsp oil and some seasoning. Tip onto a large baking tray, then roast for 20 mins, stirring halfway, until crisp, golden and cooked through.
• Meanwhile, put eggs in a small pan of water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 8-10 mins, depending on how you like them cooked. Plunge into a bowl of cold water to cool for a few mins. Peel away the shells, then cut into halves.
• In a large salad bowl, whisk together the remaining oil, red wine vinegar, capers and chopped tomatoes. Season, tip in the onion, spinach, tuna and potatoes, then gently toss together. Top with the eggs, then serve straight away.

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 BAGEL NICOISE

Steps:

• Put the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water to cool, then peel and slice.
• Meanwhile, put the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water and a pinch of salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Cut the green beans in half.
• Drain the tuna and toss with the green beans, scallions, bell pepper, parsley, olives, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
• Lightly toast the bagels. Layer the tomato slices, tuna salad and hard-boiled eggs on the bagel bottoms. Drizzle with olive oil and close with the bagel tops.

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.

GRILLED TUNA NICOISE PLATTER

Steps:

• To grill the tuna, get a charcoal or stove-top cast iron grill very hot. Brush the fish with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill each side for only 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. The center should be raw, like sushi, or the tuna will be tough and dry. Arrange the tuna, haricots verts, potato salad, tomatoes, eggs, olives, watercress, and anchovies, if used, on a large flat platter.
• For the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Drizzle some over the fish and vegetables and serve the rest in a pitcher on the side.
• Drop the white and red potatoes into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until they are just cooked through. Drain in a colander and place a towel over the potatoes to allow them to steam for 10 more minutes. As soon as you can handle them, cut in 1/2 (quarters if the potatoes are larger) and place in a medium bowl. Toss gently with the wine and chicken stock. Allow the liquids to soak into the warm potatoes before proceeding.
• Combine the vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Add the vinaigrette to the potatoes. Add the scallions, dill, parsley, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Serve warm or at room temperature.

TUNA NIçOISE CANAPES (NICOISE)

Steps:

• Slice the tuna into 1/2 -inch-thick strips going against the grain. Cut each strip into one inch strips - you should have 24 pieces of tuna.
• Combine soy sauce and olive paste in a medium mixing bowl. Add the tuna pieces and softly toss to coat. Cover and place in refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• In a large thick skillet heat the olive oil. Remove tuna from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Add 12 of the pieces to the skillet. Sear over high heat until well browned, turning once, about 15 seconds per side. Place cooked tuna on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining tuna pieces. Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.
• Make a chunky olive paste by chopping the olives with 1 tablespoon of the capers. Transfer to a small bowl and mix with mayonnaise.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4 inch circles until you have 24 rounds. Put the slices in a bowl of ice water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain, place in saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and boil until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove potatoes from the pot with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
• Bring the water back to a boil and add the haricots verts or thin green beans. Boil over moderately high heat until tender, about 1 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water and place on paper towels to drain. Cut 1 inch from both tips of each bean and reserve for the garnish.
• Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of the olive mayonnaise mixture on each potato slice. Set a piece of tuna on top of the slice and garnish with 1/2 teaspoon of the diced tomatoes, a few capers and 2 haricot vert tips.

NICOISE SALAD WITH GRILLED TUNA

Steps:

• Heat a grill or grill-pan to medium.
• In a small bowl soak the onions in cold water to cover for 10 minutes. Drain.
• Brush the tuna with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the fish, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.
• In a large bowl toss the arugula with a couple tablespoons of the vinaigrette, and divide the greens onto 4 dinner plates. In the same bowl combine the green beans, artichokes, potatoes, onion, tomatoes, and fennel. Dress the vegetables with a 1/2 cup of the dressing, season with salt and pepper. Place vegetables on the greens and top the salad with the tuna steaks. Drizzle a little dressing over the tuna and serve. Pass the remaining dressing at the table.
• In a small bowl, whisk the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper together. Combine the oils in a cup with a spout. Gradually pour the oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking constantly to make a creamy dressing.

CARPACCIO OF TUNA WITH NICOISE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat the procedure with the zucchini, using an additional 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Repeat with the fennel, using another 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Cool the vegetables completely. Add the tomatoes, olives, remaining 4 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours.
• For each serving, brush the inside of a large dinner plate with some of the oil. Place 1 tuna slice on the plate and cover with a large piece of strong plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat pounder, pound the tuna until it is so thin it covers the inside of the plate. Leaving the plastic wrap intact, refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, carefully peel off the plastic wrap. Brush the tuna with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the salt. Spoon the vinaigrette over the tuna, spreading it evenly over the surface. Serve immediately.

TUNA SANDWICHES, NICOISE STYLE

Steps:

• .Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans. When the water comes back to a boil, take the green beans out and add to a bowl of ice water. Once they are cooled, drain them, pat dry and chop.
• Combine the mayo, olives and lemon juice in a food processor and process until just about smooth. Transfer this mixture to a bowl.
• Drain the tuna and stir it into the mayo mixture. Add the eggs, tomatoes, green beans, dill, and the salt and pepper (to taste) and mix together.
• Toast the bread slices. Divide the tuna onto 4 slices of the bread, top with lettuce and remaining bread slices.