Best Barefoot Contessa Tuna Nicoise Platter Recipes

GRILLED TUNA NICOISE PLATTER

Steps:

• MAKE THE FRENCH POTATO SALAD:.
• Drop the white and red potatoes into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until they are just cooked through.
• Drain in a colander and place a terry-cloth kitchen towel over the potatoes to allow them to steam for 10 more minutes.
• AS soon as you can handle them, cut in 1/2 (quarters if the potatoes are larger)and place in a medium bowl.
• Toss gently with the wine and chicken stock.
• Allow the liquids to soak into the warm potatoes before proceeding.
• MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE:.
• Combine the vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion.
• Add vinaigrette to potatoes.
• Add scallions, dill, parsley, basil or Italian seasoning, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and stir until just combined.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• GRILL THE TUNA AND PREPARE THE PLATTER:.
• To grill the tuna, get a charcoal or stovetop cast iron grill very hot.
• Brush the fish with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Grill each side for only 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
• The center should be raw, like sushi, or the tuna will be tough and dry.
• Arrange the tuna, haricots verts, potato salad, tomatoes, eggs, olives, watercress, capers and anchovies, on a large flat platter, if used, or you can serve each person individually.
• MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE:.
• Combine the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
• Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion.
• Drizzle some over the fish and vegetables and serve the rest in a pitcher on the side.
• Bon Appetit!

ANTIPASTO - HOMEMADE TUNA FISH WITH NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Place the tuna in a covered baking dish that is just large enough to hold it in one layer.
• Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper and toss with the garlic, oregano and marjoram.
• Add enough olive oil to completely cover the tuna.
• Cover the baking dish and cook until the tuna is thoroughly cooked and flakes easily, about 3 to 4 hours. The time will depend on the thickness of your tuna. You will know that it is done when it flakes easily and the fillets feel firm from the edges all the way to the center.
• Remove the tuna from the baking dish and place in the center of the platter you are going to serve it on. (Do not throw away the olive oil! Use it for home made salad dressings, pastas, white bean salads and/or casseroles. It is delicious. And you will need 1/2 cup of it to make this recipe).
• For the Vinaigrette:.
• Combine the champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk in the tuna flavored olive oil until emulsified.
• For the Salad Ingredients:.
• Blanch the green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water for 7 minutes. Drain and immerse in a bowl of ice water. Drain and set aside.
• Surround the tuna with the spinach. Place the potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, eggs and olives in a pretty arrangement on top of the spinach. Drizzle some vinaigrette over the tuna and vegetables (except the potatoes)and serve the rest in a pitcher or gravy boat on the side.
• Enjoy!

GRILLED TUNA SALADE NIçOISE

Steps:

• Make dressing:
• Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, garlic paste, and anchovy paste in a small bowl until combined well, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in thyme, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook beans in a 4- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Add potatoes to boiling water and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then drain in a colander. Halve potatoes while still warm (peel if desired) and toss with 2 tablespoons dressing in a bowl, then cool.
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderately high.
• Brush tuna with oil and season with salt and pepper, then grill on lightly oiled rack, uncovered, turning over once, until browned on outside but still pink in center, 6 to 8 minutes total. Let tuna stand 3 minutes, then break into large (3-inch) pieces. Transfer tuna to a large platter and drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons dressing and top with capers.
• Transfer potatoes to platter with tuna, reserving bowl. Drain beans and pat dry. Toss beans in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter. Toss lettuce in bowl with 2 tablespoons dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter. Toss tomatoes in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
• Arrange olives and eggs on platter and sprinkle salad with parsley and/or basil. Serve salad with remaining dressing on the side.

CROSTINI WITH TUNA TAPENADE

Steps:

• Drain all but a tablespoon of olive oil from the tuna and then flake the fish into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the anchovy paste, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse a few times. Add the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and the mascarpone and process until almost smooth. Add the olives, capers, salt, and pepper and pulse just to incorporate. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, heat a gas or charcoal grill or preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush the bread lightly on one side with olive oil. Grill the crostini on both sides until lightly browned or arrange the bread on a sheet pan and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• Mound the tapenade on each toast, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

ROASTED SALMON NICOISE PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• For the marinade, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, mustard, garlic, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1/2 tablespoon pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
• Place the salmon on a sheet pan that has been covered in aluminum foil, and drizzle the marinade over the salmon. Allow the salmon to sit for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the potatoes and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then place the colander with the potatoes over the empty pot off the heat and cover with a clean, dry kitchen towel. Leave the potatoes to steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender but firm. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in thick slices and set aside.
• Place the salmon in the oven and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it is almost cooked through. Remove to a plate and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the skin and break into large pieces.
• Blanch the haricots verts in a large pot of boiling salted water for 1 1/2 minutes only. Drain immediately and immerse in a bowl of ice water. Drain again and set aside.
• For the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Set aside.
• Arrange the salmon, potatoes, haricots verts, tomatoes, eggs, watercress, olives and anchovies, if used, on a large flat platter. Drizzle some vinaigrette over the fish and vegetables and serve the rest in a pitcher on the side.

TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• Brush the tuna steaks with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the tuna steaks in a very hot saute pan and cook for only 1 minute on each side. Set aside on a platter.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, lime zest, wasabi, lime juice, soy sauce and hot sauce. Add the avocados to the vinaigrette.
• Cut the tuna in chunks and place it in a large bowl. Add the scallions and red onion and mix well. Pour the vinaigrette mixture over the tuna and carefully mix.

TUNA AND HUMMUS SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Drain the oil from the tuna, reserving the oil. Place the tuna in a mixing bowl and flake it with a fork. Add the celery, onion, cornichons, lemon juice, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of the reserved oil, the mustard, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.
• Toast the bread and spread each slice with a layer of hummus. Spread the tuna salad on each piece of bread, garnish with slices of radish, and serve immediately.
• For the Hummus:
• Place the chickpeas, 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid, the tahini, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until coarsely pureed. The hummus should be moist and thick; add more lemon juice or reserved chickpea liquid to thin, if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for several hours for the flavors to blend. Taste for seasonings. Yield: 2 cups.