How to make Tuna Nicoise Salad

Tuna Niçoise Salad is a classic French salad that combines a variety of ingredients like tuna, vegetables, eggs, and olives. Here’s a simple recipe to make a Tuna Niçoise Salad

For the salad:

• 2 (5-ounce) cans of good-quality tuna (preferably packed in olive oil), drained
• 4 large eggs
• 1 pound small red or white potatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Niçoise or Kalamata olives
• 4 cups mixed salad greens

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Start by boiling the eggs: Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 8-10 minutes. Once done, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, peel and slice them.
2. Boil the potatoes: In a separate pot, boil the potatoes until they’re fork-tender, usually around 10-15 minutes. Drain and set them aside to cool.
3. Blanch the green beans: Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until they’re bright green and crisp-tender. Immediately transfer them to the ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain and set aside.
4. Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
5. Assemble the salad: Arrange the salad greens on a large serving platter or individual plates. Arrange the drained tuna, boiled eggs (sliced in half), blanched green beans, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, sliced red onion, and olives over the greens.
6. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving, or you can serve it on the side for individuals to add according to their taste.
7. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for added flavor.

This Tuna Niçoise Salad is best served fresh and can be a delightful, filling meal on its own. Adjust the ingredients and proportions according to your preferences and the number of servings needed. Enjoy!