Nicoise Salad

I give to you another salad.  Another delicious hearty salad.  A perfect salad for a warm summer evening while entertaining or dining for 2.  This dish makes my husbands mouth water...I'm guessing it's because it's not a girly salad but a more substantial one with man type ingredients....grrrrr.  Well, not really but he thinks so because it's a salad that eats like a meal.
If you don't have fresh piece of tuna to cook, use tuna packed in olive oil.  Trust me on this one.  It has a far superior flavour and texture then water packed and that's what you need in here.  If you don't do anchovies, don't use them.  If you do, then use the imported ones packed in oil in a jar.
I like this salad a room temp with a chill on the green beans.  Prep some of this ahead and make your life easier.  It allows you to crack a bottle of wine and.....well, do whatever it is you do.  Present it on a platter and let everyone serve themselves.  Did I mention it goes well with a chilly white?
p.s. it's gluten free, packed with vitamins and protein....can't go wrong.

It's just so dang lovely to look at ....

Nicoise Salad
Serves 2-3

1 tuna steak cooked* or 1 can oil packed tuna
2 hard boiled eggs
6-8 baby potatoes, steamed or boiled
2 tomatoes sliced
1/2 lb green beans, steamed
1/4 cup black olives (Nicoise if you can find them)
2-4 anchovies, oil packed in a jar (optional)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar (whatever your preference)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp chives, finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried tarragon or 2 tsp fresh, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Arrange the tuna, eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans and black olives on a platter.  In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, herbs and salt and pepper - this can be made ahead.  Drizzle over the salad. 
*How to cook a tuna steak.  Place a skillet over medium high heat.  Add about 1 tbsp olive oil.  Season the steak with salt and pepper.  Sear the steak on both sides for about 2-3 minutes until the tuna is slightly pink in the centre.  Let cool slightly and slice into strips.