Chilled Nicoise-Style Smoked Salmon Salad
Elevate your salad game with this Chilled Nicoise-Style Smoked Salmon Salad that combines the rich flavors of smoked salmon with a delightful array of fresh vegetables. This vibrant dish is not only a feast for the eyes but also a balanced healthy meal. The crunch of romaine and butter lettuce, the sweetness of cherry tomatoes, the tang of olives and capers, and the protein-packed eggs and potatoes create a symphony of tastes and textures. Perfect for a casual dinner with friends or for impressing guests at your next gathering, this salad can be prepared ahead of time to let the flavors meld, making it both a practical and elegant option. Pair it with fresh baked rolls for an unforgettable meal experience. Enjoy the art of cooking without the rush!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
1 (10 - 12 ounce) bag (torn into bite-size pieces)
Butter lettuce
1 head (torn into bite-size pieces)
Smoked salmon
8 ounces (very thinly sliced)
Frozen green beans
1 (10 ounce) package (cooked, drained, and chilled)
Cherry tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
Green bell pepper
1 small (cut into rings)
Red onion
1 small (sliced and separated into rings)
Eggs
3 (hard-boiled, peeled, and cut into wedges)
Red potatoes
3 small (cooked, chilled, and quartered)
Black olives
1/2 cup (pitted)
Red wine vinaigrette dressing
3/4 cup (bottled)
Capers
2 tablespoons (drained)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the green beans, hard-boiling the eggs, and boiling the potatoes. Once cooked, set them aside and allow them to cool completely.
2
While the beans, eggs, and potatoes are cooling, prepare the onion and bell pepper by slicing them into thin rings.
3
Once everything has cooled, take a large serving platter and layer the torn romaine and butter lettuce as the base.
4
Gently mound the thinly sliced smoked salmon in the center of the platter.
5
Artfully arrange the cooled green beans, halved cherry tomatoes, pepper rings, onion rings, egg wedges, quartered potatoes, and black olives over the lettuce, surrounding the salmon.
6
Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
7
Just before serving, drizzle the salad with red wine vinaigrette dressing and sprinkle with capers for added flavor.
8
For the best results when slicing smoked salmon, consider placing it in the freezer for a short time—it makes it easier to create thin, elegant slices.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chilled Nicoise-Style Smoked Salmon Salad?
It is an elegant, vibrant salad that combines rich smoked salmon with fresh vegetables like green beans, potatoes, and tomatoes for a balanced healthy meal.
What are the main ingredients in this recipe?
The recipe includes romaine and butter lettuce, smoked salmon, frozen green beans, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, eggs, red potatoes, black olives, red wine vinaigrette, and capers.
How much smoked salmon is required?
You will need 8 ounces of very thinly sliced smoked salmon.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
Use one 10-12 ounce bag of romaine and one head of butter lettuce, both torn into bite-size pieces.
What is the first step in making this salad?
Begin by cooking the green beans, hard-boiling the eggs, and boiling the potatoes, then allowing them to cool completely.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
Use 3 small red potatoes that have been cooked, chilled, and quartered.
What is the recommended prep for the eggs?
Three eggs should be hard-boiled, peeled, and cut into wedges.
How do I prepare the green beans?
Cook one 10-ounce package of frozen green beans, drain them, and ensure they are chilled before adding them to the salad.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
One pint of cherry tomatoes, halved, is used in this recipe.
How should the green bell pepper be sliced?
One small green bell pepper should be cut into rings.
How is the red onion prepared?
One small red onion should be sliced and separated into rings.
What type of olives are included?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of pitted black olives.
What kind of dressing is recommended?
A bottled red wine vinaigrette dressing is used for this salad.
How much dressing should be applied?
The recipe suggests using 3/4 cup of the vinaigrette.
When are the capers added?
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of drained capers over the salad just before serving for added flavor.
How should the salad be arranged for serving?
Layer the lettuce as a base, mound the salmon in the center, and artfully arrange the other ingredients around the salmon.
How long must the salad refrigerate?
The salad should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
What is a professional tip for slicing the smoked salmon?
Place the smoked salmon in the freezer for a short time before slicing to make it easier to create thin, elegant slices.
Can this salad be made in advance?
Yes, it can be prepared ahead of time to let the flavors meld, making it a practical option for gatherings.
What is a good side dish to pair with this salad?
It pairs beautifully with fresh baked rolls for a complete meal experience.
Is this a good meal for guests?
Yes, its elegant presentation and rich flavors make it perfect for impressing guests at a dinner or gathering.
How many ingredients are used in total?
There are 12 specific ingredients listed for this recipe.
What makes this 'Nicoise-Style'?
The combination of potatoes, green beans, olives, and hard-boiled eggs is a signature of the Nicoise salad style.
Is the salmon cooked in the salad?
The recipe uses smoked salmon, which is already cured or smoked and ready to eat.
Should the dressing be added before refrigerating?
No, the salad is chilled first, and the dressing is drizzled on just before serving.
Does the recipe use fresh or frozen green beans?
The recipe specifies a 10-ounce package of frozen green beans.
How are the onions separated?
The red onion is sliced and then separated into rings.
What is the texture of the dish?
It features a mix of textures including the crunch of lettuce and peppers, the creaminess of potatoes and eggs, and the richness of salmon.
Is there any preparation needed for the capers?
The capers should be drained before being sprinkled on the salad.
What is the visual appeal of this salad?
It is described as a 'feast for the eyes' due to the vibrant colors of the vegetables and the artful arrangement of the salmon.