French-style Salad

French-style Salad Recipe: A Fresh and Flavorful Dish with Green Beans, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, and Potatoes

Region / culture: France | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

French-style Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines roasted peppers, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and new potatoes, all tossed in a flavorful dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue.

History

French-style Salad, also known as Salade Niçoise, originates from the city of Nice in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It is a traditional salad that typically includes tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, olives, anchovies, and tuna. However, this recipe puts a twist on the classic by incorporating roasted peppers and new potatoes.

Ingredients

150 g of fine green beans
4 capsicums (peppers) of different colors such as red, green, yellow, orange, etc.
A handful of cherry tomatoes
A few 'new' potatoes, 'Jersey Royal' potatoes are recommended for their exceptional taste

How to prepare

Start by roasting the peppers. Slice them lengthways into 3 cm-wide slices and lay them out on a baking tray. Preheat the oven to 230°C. Drizzle some olive oil over the peppers on the tray. Place the tray in the oven for about 20 minutes, turning the peppers over halfway.
Layout the sliced peppers on a baking tray and drizzle them with olive oil.
Place the tray with the peppers into the preheated oven at 230°C.
While the peppers are roasting, chop the cherry tomatoes into quarters (or halves if they are small) and also chop the green beans in half.
Chop the cherry tomatoes into quarters.
Chop the beans in half.
Boil the green beans and rinsed potatoes in separate saucepans until they are tender. They should be soft enough to bite into pleasurably. Remember to turn over the roasting peppers at some point.
Boil the beans and potatoes until tender.
Turn over the roasting peppers.
When the potatoes are boiled, drain them and lay them out on a plate to cool. Then chop them in half.
When the peppers are fully roasted (and slightly burnt around the edges), immediately place them into a plastic bag (e.g. sandwich or freezer bag) and seal it. Let it sit on the worktop for around 10 minutes. This will loosen the skin from the peppers, making them easy to peel off.
Chop the cooked potatoes into halves.
Place the roasted peppers into a plastic bag and seal it for 10 minutes.
Peel off the skins from the peppers using your hands and discard them. Then chop the resulting pepper flesh into bite-sized pieces.
Peel off and discard the pepper skins.
Chop the peppers into bite-sized pieces.
After the potatoes, green beans, and peppers have cooled off, mix them in a bowl with the cherry tomato quarters. Stir in some of your favorite salad dressing. In my case, I prefer French vinaigrette with a balsamic vinegar twist!
Mix everything in a bowl.
Pour some dressing over the salad.

Variations

Add grilled chicken, tuna, or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
Substitute other vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, or olives.
Use a different dressing, such as a lemon vinaigrette or a creamy herb dressing.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to roast the peppers until they are slightly burnt around the edges. This will give them a smoky flavor that adds depth to the salad.

- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best taste and texture.

- Be sure to let the roasted peppers sit in a sealed bag for 10 minutes before peeling off the skins. This will make them easier to peel.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this French-style Salad as a side dish with grilled fish or chicken, or enjoy it on its own as a light lunch. It pairs well with a glass of crisp white wine or a refreshing iced tea.

Cooking Techniques

Roast the peppers until slightly burnt for a smoky flavor.

- Boil the green beans and potatoes until tender but still slightly firm.

- Mix the salad ingredients together gently to avoid crushing the vegetables.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use red or yellow bell peppers instead of orange.

- Substitute regular potatoes for new potatoes.

- Use a different type of vinegar in the dressing, such as red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the roasted peppers, green beans, and potatoes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad. The dressing can also be made in advance and stored in a sealed container.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the salad on a large platter or individual plates, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of feta cheese. Serve with a side of crusty bread or a baguette for a complete meal.

Pairing Recommendations

This French-style Salad pairs well with grilled fish, chicken, or steak. It also goes well with a glass of rosé wine or a light beer.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the salad in the microwave or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this French-style Salad contains approximately 200 calories, making it a light and healthy option for a meal or side dish.

Carbohydrates

This French-style Salad is a good source of carbohydrates, thanks to the green beans, cherry tomatoes, and new potatoes. Carbohydrates provide energy for our bodies and are essential for overall health.

Fats

The olive oil used in this recipe provides healthy fats that are important for heart health and overall well-being. Fats also help our bodies absorb vitamins and minerals.

Proteins

While this salad is not high in protein, you can add grilled chicken, tuna, or hard-boiled eggs to increase the protein content. Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair.

Vitamins and minerals

This French-style Salad is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C from the peppers and tomatoes, potassium from the potatoes, and fiber from the green beans. These nutrients are important for immune function, heart health, and digestion.

Alergens

This recipe contains no common allergens, but be sure to check the ingredients in your salad dressing for any potential allergens.

Summary

Overall, this French-style Salad is a nutritious and delicious dish that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a great option for a light and refreshing meal.

Summary

French-style Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines roasted peppers, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and new potatoes in a flavorful dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a summer meal. Enjoy the fresh flavors and vibrant colors of this classic French dish!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I knew it was something special. It was a warm summer day many years ago, and I was visiting my dear friend Marie in her cozy little kitchen in the countryside of France. Marie was a fantastic cook and always had a knack for creating delicious dishes with simple ingredients.

As I walked into her kitchen, I was immediately hit with the fragrant aroma of fresh herbs and vegetables. Marie was bustling around the kitchen, chopping, mixing, and stirring with a sense of ease and grace that I had always admired. She had a twinkle in her eye as she welcomed me in and handed me a glass of chilled rosé.

"Ma chère amie, I have a new recipe to share with you today," Marie said with a smile. "It's a French-style salad that I learned from my grandmother many years ago. It's light, refreshing, and perfect for a hot summer day like today."

I watched as Marie effortlessly tossed together a colorful array of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and herbs in a large bowl. She drizzled it with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The salad looked so vibrant and inviting, I couldn't wait to dig in.

As we sat down at the table to enjoy our lunch, Marie shared the story behind the recipe. She told me how her grandmother used to make this salad for the family during the summer months when the garden was overflowing with ripe produce. It was a tradition that had been passed down through generations, and Marie had fond memories of helping her grandmother prepare the salad as a child.

I was captivated by Marie's words and the love and reverence she had for her family's culinary traditions. I could see the pride and joy in her eyes as she served me a generous portion of the salad on a beautiful ceramic plate. The flavors were bright and crisp, with a perfect balance of acidity and freshness that danced on my taste buds.

As I savored each bite, I couldn't help but think about my own family's culinary heritage. My grandmother had always been a wonderful cook, and she had passed down many cherished recipes to me over the years. I thought about how lucky I was to have such a rich tapestry of flavors and memories to draw upon in my own kitchen.

After finishing our meal, Marie and I sat outside in her garden, sipping on coffee and enjoying the warm afternoon sun. We talked about food, life, and the importance of preserving culinary traditions for future generations. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the friendships and experiences that had shaped my love of cooking and eating.

As I bid Marie farewell and made my way back home, I couldn't stop thinking about the French-style salad recipe she had shared with me. It was a simple yet elegant dish that captured the essence of French cuisine – fresh, flavorful, and full of heart. I knew that I would be making it again soon, and sharing it with my own family and friends.

And so, as I stood in my own kitchen the next day, surrounded by the familiar sights and smells of home, I set to work recreating Marie's French-style salad. I carefully selected the ripest tomatoes, crunchiest cucumbers, and fragrant herbs from my garden, and mixed them together with a splash of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.

As I took my first bite of the salad, I was transported back to that sunny afternoon in Marie's kitchen, surrounded by laughter, love, and good food. I felt a deep connection to my culinary roots and a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasures of sharing a meal with loved ones.

And so, as I continued to cook and create in my kitchen, I carried with me the memories and lessons learned from Marie and her French-style salad recipe. It was a reminder of the power of food to bring people together, to nurture the body and soul, and to keep alive the traditions that bind us to our past and shape our future. And for that, I was eternally grateful.