How to make
The salad with the interesting name ''Niçoise'' comes from the Nice area. There is no strictly defined recipe for it with exact ingredients, because in the past every household had its own way and version to prepare it.
The only mandatory products, which are considered to be an integral part of the original recipe for the Niçoise salad are - tuna, anchovies, eggs, black olives, tomatoes and other fresh seasonal vegetables, basil and shallots.
Niçoise salad is often prepared with vegetables, which have undergone heat treatment - potatoes, green beans, artichokes. For me, this is also the winter version.
There are even differences in the way they are arranged and served, sometimes Niçoise is in the form of a salad and other times all of the products are mixed and flavored together.
My personal opinion is that when it is arranged, it is much more suitable for special occasions, for guests and more refined get togethers, because it looks more beautiful. I will present this option to you now.
Begin with the preparation of those products, which must undergo heat treatment. The potatoes and quail eggs are boiled separately and are then peeled. Instead of small quail eggs, of course, you can use ordinary ones (2-3 pcs.).
The red onion is added to the diced potatoes and seasoned with a part of the dressing prepared by mixing the products indicated for it.
We will flavor each of the individual parts of the salad separately, so distribute the dressing or if you prefer, prepare more of it.
Continue with the fresh vegetables, in our case - tomatoes, shallots and lettuce.
The green leaves are washed, strained well and arranged on a plate as a salad base. If desired, drizzle them with a little olive oil and salt.
I peel the tomato, but this is optional. Cut the shallots into thin strips and chop the basil. Flavor with dressing again.
All that is left is to season the green beans and everything is almost ready.
If you want a richer Niçoise salad, of course you can add artichokes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans and more.
On the lettuce, add piles of the potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, strained tuna, quail eggs, anchovies and olives.
Sprinkle capers on top of the festive salad and arrange the olives.
If you cannot find small Niçoise olives, you can use kalamata or other black olives.
Enjoy this unique salad with your family or dear guests.
Enjoy your meal!
