Mediterranean-inspired Tuna Baguette Salad
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Tuna Baguette Salad. Bursting with fresh vegetables, rich olives, and high-quality tuna, each bite transports you to the sun-drenched shores of Nice. This dish is not just a meal; it's a celebration of fresh ingredients tossed in a zesty dressing, perfect for picnics, light lunches, or impressing guests. From the creamy hard-boiled eggs to the crunchy vegetables, every element blends harmoniously, making it a delightful dish you'll want to share.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lemons
2 (juiced)
Shallot
1 (peeled and grated)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon
Dried herbes de Provence
1 teaspoon
Extra virgin olive oil
1/3-1/2 cup
Salt and pepper
to taste
Red potatoes
2 small (chopped into 1/4-inch pieces)
Green beans
1/4 lb (trimmed and cut into thirds (about a handful))
Red bell pepper
1/2 small (halved lengthwise and thinly sliced)
Nicoise olives
1/4 cup (pitted and chopped)
Bibb lettuce
1 small head (torn)
Plum tomatoes
2 ripe (seeded and chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (finely chopped)
Red onion
1/2 small (very thinly sliced and chopped)
Imported tuna
two 6-ounce cans (drained and flaked)
Hard-boiled eggs
2 (peeled and chopped)
Tarragon
4 sprigs (leaves stripped and chopped)
French baguettes
2 (halved and split into four 8- to 10-inch sections)
Instructions
1
In a large salad bowl, combine the lemon juice, grated shallot, Dijon mustard, and dried herbes de Provence. Whisk together until smooth.
2
Gradually drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to create a cohesive dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3
In a small saucepan, bring 2 inches of salted water to a boil. Add the chopped red potatoes and green beans, cooking for 4 minutes. During the last minute, add the red bell pepper for a quick blanch.
4
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked vegetables to a colander and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly.
5
Add the cooled vegetables to the salad bowl with the dressing. Incorporate the chopped olives, torn bibb lettuce, diced tomatoes, finely chopped celery, and thinly sliced red onion.
6
Gently fold in the flaked tuna, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and tarragon leaves. Toss the salad gently until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
7
To serve, take the halved and split baguettes, and generously pack the salad mixture into each section, creating a satisfying and colorful meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in the Mediterranean-inspired Tuna Baguette Salad?
The recipe uses two 6-ounce cans of drained and flaked imported tuna.
How many lemons are required for this recipe?
You will need two juiced lemons for the dressing.
What type of mustard is used in the salad dressing?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Which dried herb blend is used to flavor the dressing?
One teaspoon of dried herbes de Provence is used to whisk into the lemon juice and mustard.
How is the salad dressing prepared?
Whisk together lemon juice, grated shallot, mustard, and herbs, then gradually drizzle in extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously.
Which vegetables need to be cooked for this salad?
The red potatoes, green beans, and red bell peppers are blanched in boiling water.
How long should the red potatoes and green beans cook?
They should be boiled in salted water for 4 minutes.
When should the red bell pepper be added to the boiling water?
The sliced red bell pepper should be added during the last minute of the 4-minute cooking time for the potatoes and beans.
What should I do after boiling the vegetables?
Transfer them to a colander and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain thoroughly.
What kind of olives are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1/4 cup of pitted and chopped Nicoise olives.
How should the Bibb lettuce be prepared?
One small head of Bibb lettuce should be torn into pieces.
How do I prepare the plum tomatoes?
Use two ripe plum tomatoes, seed them, and then chop them into pieces.
How is the red onion prepared?
Half of a small red onion should be very thinly sliced and then chopped.
What role does tarragon play in this salad?
Fresh tarragon leaves from 4 sprigs are chopped and gently folded into the salad for aromatic flavor.
How are the hard-boiled eggs incorporated?
Two hard-boiled eggs are peeled, chopped, and gently folded into the salad at the end.
What type of bread is used for serving?
Two French baguettes are halved and split into four 8- to 10-inch sections to hold the salad mixture.
How is the salad finally assembled into the baguette?
Generously pack the salad mixture into each split section of the baguettes.
What is the preparation for the celery?
Two celery ribs should be finely chopped before being added to the mix.
How much olive oil is needed for the dressing?
The recipe suggests using between 1/3 and 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
How is the shallot prepared?
One shallot should be peeled and grated before being whisked into the dressing.
What size should the red potatoes be chopped?
The two small red potatoes should be chopped into 1/4-inch pieces.
How should the green beans be cut?
The green beans should be trimmed and cut into thirds.
Is there a specific way to mix the tuna and eggs?
They should be gently folded in to avoid breaking them down too much, ensuring everything is evenly coated in dressing.
Can I season the salad dressing?
Yes, you should add salt and pepper to the dressing to taste.
What kind of flavor profile does this salad have?
It features vibrant Mediterranean flavors with zesty lemon, briny olives, and fresh herbs.
Is this recipe suitable for a picnic?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for picnics and light lunches.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 specific ingredients listed for this Tuna Baguette Salad.
What should I do if the dressing isn't cohesive?
Ensure you are drizzling the olive oil very gradually while whisking continuously to create a cohesive emulsion.
How do I handle the red bell pepper?
Halve it lengthwise and then thinly slice it before its brief blanching.
What is the best way to handle the baguettes?
Halve them and then split them open so they can be filled with the salad mixture.