BIG EGG, BACON & BEAN SALAD

Big egg, bacon & bean salad image

A substantial 'almost-Niçoise' that goes with just about anything, and won't get soggy on the way to the picnic

Provided by Jane Hornby

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

750g salad potatoes
3 eggs
200g fine green beans , trimmed
6 rashers smoked streaky or back bacon
100g Kalamata olives , stones in or out, it's up to you
100g bag baby spinach
1 garlic clove , crushed
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white wine , red wine or cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp capers , drained
2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
handful shop-bought croûtons , to serve

Steps:

Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add salt, then drop in the potatoes and set the timer for 20 mins. With 8 mins to go, add the eggs to the pan, making sure they're submerged. With 4 mins to go, add the green beans. When the cooking time is up, drain everything together in a colander, then cool under cold water.
While everything boils, heat the grill to high. Grill the bacon for about 8 mins, turning halfway, until crisp and golden. Snip into bite-size pieces. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together with some seasoning in an airtight container. Peel the eggs and cut the potatoes in half. Layer up the potatoes, beans, olives, spinach and bacon, in that order, in a large lidded container, then tuck the eggs around. Chill until needed.
Just before eating, lift out the eggs and cut in half. Shake or whisk the dressing again, then toss the salad with most of the dressing. Scatter the eggs and croutons on top, drizzle the rest of the dressing over the cut eggs, then tuck in.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 303 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 26 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 11 grams protein, Sodium 1.85 milligram of sodium