Rachel’s Smoked Salmon Niçoise Salad

Ingredients

Salad

• 3 cups organic baby spinach
• 1 small head organic romaine, trimmed with leaves left whole
• 4 large eggs, hard-boiled, cooled, peeled and halved
• 1 English cucumber, sliced
• 2 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges or large slices
  Or substitute 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• ½ pound fresh green beans, washed, trimmed, parboiled and cooled
• 2 pounds new potatoes, boiled in salted water until just fork-tender and cooled
• 2 teaspoons capers
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced, about ½ cup
• 1 cup lemon-stuffed Manzanilla olives
• 1 pound smoked salmon
• Freshly chopped Italian parsley for garnish, optional
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Parmesan Olive Oil Dressing

• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 anchovy fillet, optional
• 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil or infused olive oil of your choice

Hojiblanca Extra Virgin Olive Oil works beautifully in this dressing, but Dill, Garlic, Lemon, Orange or Lime Olive Oil would also complement the salad.

Directions

Prepare the Dressing

Add the champagne vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, anchovy, garlic, salt, pepper and Parmesan to a blender or food processor. Pulse until thoroughly combined.

With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the dressing is smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside until ready to serve.

Assemble the Salad

Place the cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing and gently toss until evenly coated.

Cover a large serving platter with the baby spinach and whole romaine leaves. Arrange the dressed potatoes, green beans, cucumber, tomatoes, eggs and olives across the platter.

Place the smoked salmon prominently through the center. Finish with the sliced red onion, capers, parsley and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve immediately with the remaining Parmesan olive oil dressing on the side.

Serves 6 as a meal or up to 10 as a starter.

Optional Protein Substitutions

The smoked salmon may be replaced with poached or grilled salmon, grilled chicken, sliced steak, seared tuna or baked tofu.