Salade Niçoise
A classic from the esteemed Julia Child, this colorful salad can be customized to your liking.
Ingredients:
¾ pound green beans, trimmed
1 pound baby red potatoes
½ shallot, chopped
4 tomatoes, chopped, or 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
4 cups salad greens
2 (6-7 ounce) cans tuna
½ cup Nicoise olives
3 hard-boiled eggs
3 tablespoons chopped herbs, such as parsley, oregano and French tarragon
2-3 teaspoons capers, drained and rinsed
Niçoise vinaigrette (see recipe)
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Add the green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Lift out with tongs and rinse with very cold water.
2. Return the water to a boil. Add the potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a small knife. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
3. As soon as the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel if desired and slice thickly. Add ½ cup of the vinaigrette and the shallot. With a rubber spatula, gently toss the warm potatoes with the Niçoise vinaigrette; set aside to cool. In another bowl, toss the beans with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette to coat them. In a third bowl, toss the tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette to coat them.
4. On a large platter, arrange the lettuce. Add the potatoes, beans, and tomatoes. Top with tuna, and olives. Spoon some of the remaining dressing over the salad and sprinkle with the herbs and capers. Peel the eggs, pat them dry, and halve them. Garnish with peeled, hard-boiled eggs.
Variations: This recipe can be modified with an array of seasonal produce, it is especially wonderful with radishes or carrots! You can also try substituting the canned tuna with seared Ahi steaks, or even grilled salmon.
Fresh & Foraged Recipes
This week’s box sings of both the garden and the forest as it offers up freshly-harvested asparagus, radishes, turnips, fingerling potatoes and more as well as locally-foraged Morel mushrooms, a true Northwest favorite. Enjoy these tastes of springtime alongside freshly-made egg semolina pappardelle pasta, Pain au Levain bread, citrus fruit, and eggs from our heritage breed hens, as well as fragrant garden-grown herbs like tarragon, parsley and chives, and crisp salad greens—it’s all oh-so bright and oh-so fresh.
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Fresh Pappardelle with Sautéed Morel Mushrooms
Also rich with chicken stock and herbs, this pasta beautifully captures the flavors of mellow, earthy Morel mushrooms.
Buttered Radishes with Poached Eggs
Tender radishes and shallots are topped with a silky poached egg for the perfect finish.
Grilled Asparagus with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
A fresh blend of lemon juice, olive oil and adds big flavor to grilled asparagus stalks.
Balsamic-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Onions
This flavorful side from California’s Chez Panisse is sure to become a staple in your home.
Roasted Cara Cara Oranges
These gorgeous oranges are a wonderful addition to a cheeseboard; or, remove the rinds and toss into a salad!
Balsamic-Roasted Potatoes with Sweet Onions
This flavorful side from California’s Chez Panisse is sure to become a staple in your home.
Ingredients:
1 sweet or yellow onion, chopped
12-16 fingerling potatoes, washed and scrubbed
3-6 garlic cloves, peeled
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 bay leaves
Sprigs of thyme
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 325°. In a mixing bowl toss the potatoes, garlic and onions with the softened butter making sure to give them all a good coating. Season them with salt and pepper.
2. Place them into an ovenproof gratin dish and top them with the thyme and bay leaves. Add the balsamic and cover tightly with foil.
3. Bake the potatoes for 2 hours. Every thirty minutes remove the foil, stir to coat, then put the foil back on and continue to bake until caramelized from the balsamic glaze. Serve.
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Chive Butter
A lovely side to this week’s suggested main dish.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds fingerling potatoes, washed and halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
Fresh chive sprigs for garnish
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°. In a large bowl, toss the halved fingerling potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden and tender. Flip the potatoes halfway through cooking for even browning.
3. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the chive butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped fresh chives, minced garlic (if using), and lemon zest. Mix until well combined.
4. Once the potatoes are roasted, transfer them to a serving dish. Dollop the chive butter mixture over the hot roasted fingerling potatoes, allowing it to melt and coat the potatoes. Garnish with additional fresh chive sprigs for a pop of color and added freshness.
