Classic Tuna Nicoise Salad
- 1/2 pound red potatoes, scrubbed and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1/4 pound haricots verts, or small, thin green beans, ends trimmed
- 2 pounds yellowfin tuna loin, trimmed of sinew
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 1 large head romaine or Bibb lettuce, rinsed and patted dry
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- Anchovy Dressing, recipe follows
- 1/2 pound Roma plum tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup halved and seeded black brine-cured olives
- 1/3 cup halved and seeded green brine-cured olives
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
- Chopped fresh herbs, for garnish (parsley, tarragon, chive, etc.)
- 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.
- 1 anchovy fillet, drained
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1 large egg*
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 2 teaspoons capers, drained and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 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.
- Yield: 1 cup
red potatoes, verts, loin, salt, ground black pepper, olive oil, rosemary sprigs, head romaine, parsley, tarragon, anchovy dressing, tomatoes, olives, olives, red onion, eggs, fresh herbs
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/classic-tuna-nicoise-salad-recipe.html (may not work)