The Perfect Nicoise Salad + Wino Wednesday

I thought it was only fitting that my first recipe of the New Year be a healthy one. I love a Nicoise salad, it is one of my favorite things to order when we are out if it is on the menu.  I decided to recreate one at home and it was so tasty.  The best part is the leftovers save so well.  The key is keeping everything separate.  If you mix it all together with the dressing it all gets soggy.  I like to make a big family style platter,  that way everyone can serve as they like.  Matt likes more potatoes and I like more green beans and olives so we both can serve accordingly.  The beans, eggs, and potatoes can be cooked ahead to save you time.  I do recommend splurging for some good tuna or you could even do fresh, which would be awesome.  I bought the Tonnino kind in a glass jar with olive oil and it was so much better than the canned version.  I also picked up my olives from the olive bar, not jarred ones, they have much more flavor.

Enjoy!

|| N I C O I S E   S A L A D ||

- 1 head Romaine chopped

- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced n hlaf

- 3 hard boiled eggs sliced

- 1/2 pound baby potatoes

- fresh olives

- haricort verts

- Tuna in olive oil ( I recommend the jarred kind called Tonnino)

 DRESSING

- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard

- juice of one lemon

- 1 garlic clove minced

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- salt and pepper

 Heat a pot of boiling salted water and add Haricot verts.  Cook 4-5 minutes and then immediately remove and place in ice bath to stop cooking process. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Toss baby potatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Place on baking sheet and bake about 20 minutes until fork tender.

Whisk together all ingredients for dressing.

Layer all on a platter with dressing in a bowl.  Serve on plates and drizzle with dressing.  I found this was best room temperature or slightly cool.

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My friend Amanda asked me to participate in Wino Wednesday and of course I was thrilled and happy to share some of my favorite wine!   I love wine and the older I have gotten the more I have come to appreciate good wine.

Since it has been chilly here I have been in a red wine mood.  This red wine came in my monthly wine box from Wine Awesomeness and I have been hooked ever since.

 If you are not a remember of a wine club, I highly recommend signing up for one.  It is a great way to try new wines and have them delivered to your door!  You can sign up and get your first month free HERE .

The Rioja is full bodied but not overpowering at all.  It is super smooth and oh so good.

The notes on the Wine Awesomeness page describe the flavors well

"Bright red fruit in the form of red cherry, red currant and pomegranate; dill, vanilla, dried roses, and sexiness.  Medium-bodied and silky, there's a sumptuousness to this wine that keeps you going back for more. "

This red wine is a winner and only $15!