Salad Nicoise has been a favorite of mine for decades and I was first introduced to this salad by our family “Salad Master,” Joyce. However, it is really my travels in France and experiencing the variations of the Nicoise Salad in anywhere from the finest restaurant to gas service stations (yes, really!) Nicoise is a “composed” salad, the ingredients are served side by side, rather than tossed. There is something wonderful in the art of this salad. So with my Fall Flag flying and my love of these late market gardens, I bring you my version of HARVEST SALAD NICOISE with Salmon!
From the Kitchen of Terri Bergman
Harvest Salad Nicoise (with Salmon)
SERVES: 4
LEVEL: Intermediate—you got this!
INGREDIENTS
Base:
4-6 cups Fresh Salad Greens
4 Hard Boiled Eggs (10 min boil)
1 ½ Cups of petite potatoes
2 Cups of String Beans, ends snapped, keep long
2 Cups of Butternut Squash, peel and cubed, 1” cubes
1 ½ Cups Red Pepper, cored, seeded and cubed 1” squares(1 large pepper)
2 Pcs. Of Salmon
Olive Oil – Balsamic Vinegar
Amazing Rub Seasoning (Amazing Heat/Amazing Herbes)
For the Dressing:
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (great quality)
¼ Lemon squeezed
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
*optional 1 – 2 Tbsp Champagne Vinegar
**optional chopped parsley/fresh basil
Salt & pepper
For the Aioli Dressing:
½ C Mayonnaise
1 tsp of the Amazing Herbes (that’s it!)
For the Garnish:
Chopped Parsley
Chopped Basil
Amazing Heat (especially over the eggs)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees, convection.
In a large glass bowl, place potatoes, string beans, butternut squash, not mixed but layered. Sprinkle with a few Tbsp water, wrap with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes. Remove, drain water, set aside.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, place 2 entrée size pieces of Salmon that has been brushed with Balsamic Dressing in Center. Arrange the Potatoes, String Beans, Butternut Squash and the uncooked chopped red pepper pieces in the same baking sheet. Give a sprinkle of Balsamic Vinegar to all ingredients, a nice drizzle of Olive Oil, and a generous sprinkling of the *Amazing Rub Seasoning (this will make ingredients golden and seasoned)
Place into preheated (400) oven for 15 minutes, until all ingredients are toasty cooked. With the precooked Microwave time on first ingredients, this play like a symphony and all should crescendo together!
Peel boiled eggs, and half or quarter for salad plates.
Prepare 2 Dressings: Traditional vinaigrette is Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, with optional of Champagne Vinegar couple Tbsps, chopped parsley and basic – and salt and pepper (1/4 tsp of both). Herbed Aioli– ½ C or more mayonnaise with 1 tsp Amazing Herbes, stir together and set.
Plate 4 medium salad plates or 2 large plates, spread salad greens generously to create a base.
Center plates with Cooked Salmon (if 4 plateshalf salmon pieces), then create a frame of string beans, eggs, potatoes, red peppers, and butternut squash. Dress salad lightly by drizzling top with vinaigrette. Serve extra dressing and Herbed Aioli on the side. Is you would like, garnish plates with extra chopped parsley and basil.
My recommendation is to compose and serve this salad while roasted ingredients are still warm, absolutely delicious. However, you can make ahead and chill away. Just delicious also!
This Salad reminds me of an artists’ palette, so compose to your liking! Enjoy!
