Best Penne Nicoise Recipes

PENNE NICOISE

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to boil and add green beans and potatoes. Return to boil and add pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 11 minutes or according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in small skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes and olives and set aside.
• Drain the pasta, beans and potatoes, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Transfer to serving bowl. Add the tomato mixture, vinegar, pepper and salt and toss to mix.
• If pasta seems too dry add reserved pasta water as needed, a little at a time.

CLASSIC NICOISE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl; drizzle with the wine and let cool. Reserve the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, bring a separate saucepan of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with salted ice water. Add the haricots verts to the boiling water; cook until crisp-tender and bright green, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into the ice water to cool; drain and pat dry.
• Place the eggs in the reserved saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified.
• Toss the tomatoes ian a small bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Add about 1/4 cup dressing to the potatoes and toss. Quarter the hard-cooked eggs.
• Divide the lettuce among 4 plates. Arrange the potatoes, haricots verts, radishes, hard-cooked eggs and tuna on top. Pour any juices from the tomatoes into the dressing, then add the tomatoes to the plates. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the olives.

PASTA SALAD NICOISE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Cook the potatoes in the boiling water until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a colander with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add them to the bowl with the dressing. Cook the green beans in the boiling water until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the beans to the colander with the slotted spoon and run under cold water. Add them to the bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl.
• Add the tuna, celery, olives, anchovies and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

PASTA NICOISE

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring eggs and 6 quarts water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove eggs and run under cold water. Peel eggs when cool enough to handle.
• Salt water and return to a boil over high. Add pasta and potatoes and cook 3 minutes less than package instructions, then add green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 3 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain. Return to pot and add tuna, 1/3 cup reserved oil, tomatoes, olives, and vinegar. If necessary, add enough pasta water to create a light sauce that coats pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Slice eggs and scatter over pasta.

NIÇOISE PASTA

Steps:

• Trim the beans and cut in half. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add 1 tsp salt. Add the penne, bring to the boil and cook following pack instructions. Throw in the beans 5 mins before the end of the cooking time.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and anchovies, and fry gently for a couple of mins, stirring to dissolve the anchovies in the oil. Add the tomatoes and cook for a few mins until softened but not pulpy.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pan, then add the tomato sauce and olives. Flake in the tuna and add the lemon juice and basil. Heat through and serve.