If a culinary dish has been the subject of a dispute between guru cooks for a century, what could be the best recommendation for its preparation? Salad "Nicoise" - a culinary legend of the city of Nice - has long been present in the menu of restaurants in almost all countries of the world. And each of them insists on its cooking recipe.
It should be noted that the basic ingredients of the salad - tomatoes, garlic and olive oil - are present in all its variations. And then everyone acts according to his taste. Known recipes with the addition of potatoes, rice and artichokes. But culinary historians angrily deny the addition of these ingredients, believing that Nicoise is a hymn to fresh vegetables.
We offer you to cook the traditional Nicoise salad, the recipe of which is extremely popular in France.
For 4 persons you will need 4 large sweet tomatoes, ½ large sweet pepper (preferably red), 3 eggs, 1 head of lettuce (lettuce is good), 3 onions, 8 anchovies in oil, 200 gr. green beans, 10 olives, 150 gr. tuna in oil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon, 1 clove of garlic.
For dressing, take 7 tablespoons or 150 gr. olive oil, a clove of garlic, 8 basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar, salt, pepper. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Start cooking with dressing. In olive oil, add crushed clove of garlic, chopped basil, vinegar and, if desired, mustard. Season to taste with salt, pepper, set aside so that the dressing is well infused.
Take care of vegetables. Remember that Nicoise salad will only win if you select the ripe and sweetest fruits for it.
Boil the beans for 5 minutes in salt water. Then, throwing it in a colander, rinse with cool water. This will preserve color and elasticity. Heat olive oil, add crushed clove of garlic, beans, stew for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Sprinkle the cooled beans lightly with olive oil and ½ lemon juice.
Disassemble the salad into leaves, rinse, dry and tear into small pieces in a bowl. Cut the tomatoes into 6 or 8 equal parts (depending on size). Boil the eggs, peel and cut into quarters. Cut the onion into thin half rings. Rinse or soak too salted anchovies. Cut olives in half. Pepper and cut into slices.
The ingredients are ready, but the equally important part lies ahead. Keep in mind that Nicoise salad is not only a taste but also a color extravaganza of vegetables. Try to make it very beautiful.
Lay salad, onion, slices of tomatoes, beans, slices of pepper in a deep salad bowl. Repeat as many times as there are enough ingredients. Mix the dressing thoroughly and fill it with salad.
Put tuna slices without butter, eggs, olives, anchovies immediately before serving. Sprinkle with lemon juice and pepper. That's it, the Nicoise salad is ready!
Prepare it for your family so that your family members appreciate what real French cooking is. Salad with unsurpassed spicy taste, we are sure to become a favorite in your home.