How to make French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad Recipe

Hello everyone! It’s Julia here, your culinary guide from Dinner with Julia. Today, I’m thrilled to share one of my absolute favorite recipes with you. It’s none other than the delightful and flavor-packed French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad.

One of the many things that make my heart flutter is the rich, diverse world of salads. The vibrant colors, the interplay of textures, and the symphony of flavors never cease to amaze me. And among all the salads I’ve encountered in my culinary journey, the French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad holds a very special place. It’s an orchestra of tastes neatly packed into one dish, and today, we’re going to explore it together.

French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad Recipe

Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad | Cook Smarts
A beautiful layout of all fresh ingredients ready to be transformed into a delicious salad.

French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine French
Servings 2 people
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl

Ingredients
  

  • One cup of carrot
  • Half cup of fresh thyme
  • One cup of smoked salmon
  • Half teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • Two tablespoon of minced garlic
  • Half cup of chopped celery
  • Two tablespoon of olive oil
  • Two tablespoon honey
  • Goat cheese one cup
  • Dijon mustard half cup

Instructions
 

  • Take a large bowl.
  • Add the all of the ingredients into a bowl.
  • Mix all the ingredients well to form a homogenous mixture.
  • Toss the salad to make sure everything is mixed properly.
  • Your dish is ready to be served.

Video

Keyword Salmon, smoked paprika

Cooking French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad with a Grill Pan

Smoked Salmon Salad Nicoise
The vibrant colors of the smoked salmon against the greens making the salad look tempting.

One of the unique aspects of using a grill pan is that it can impart a delightful smoky flavor to your vegetables, adding an extra layer of complexity to your salad. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Preparation: Start by washing your vegetables thoroughly. For this salad, we’ll be grilling green beans, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers. Cut the bell peppers into thin strips, halve the cherry tomatoes, and trim the ends of the green beans.
  • Grilling: Lightly brush your best grill pan with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Once hot, arrange your vegetables in a single layer on the pan. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
  • Seasoning: Season your vegetables with a bit of salt and pepper. Let them grill for a few minutes until they start to soften and have beautiful char marks. Be sure to turn them occasionally for even grilling.
  • Cooling: Once grilled to your liking, remove the vegetables from the pan and let them cool before adding them to your salad. This will prevent the residual heat from wilting your lettuce.

Grilling the Smoked Salmon 

While traditionally, smoked salmon is served as is, if you want to add a twist to your French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad, you can lightly grill the smoked salmon too. Here’s how:

  • Preparation: Cut your smoked salmon into bite-sized pieces. Remember, we’re just warming the salmon and not cooking it, so the pieces should not be too small.
  • Grilling: Lower the heat to medium and place your salmon pieces on the grill pan. Grill them for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they are just heated through.
  • Cooling: Remove the salmon from the grill pan and let it cool before adding it to your salad.

And there you have it! A new way to enjoy your French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad with a smoky twist. Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and having fun, so don’t be afraid to try new things. Happy grilling!

Tips for making French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad

Cold-Poached Salmon Nicoise Salad with Crispy Potatoes Recipe | Valerie Bertinelli | Food Network
A close-up shot of the perfectly whisked Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Cooking Tips

Now, let’s dive into some tips that will ensure your French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad is a smashing success!

  • Quality over quantity: Always choose high-quality smoked salmon. It’s the star of the show, after all. Premium smoked salmon has a delicately smoky aroma and a texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Freshness is key: Ensure all your vegetables are fresh. This enhances the crunchiness and adds a burst of flavors to the salad.
  • Dressing matters: The dressing can make or break your salad. For our Nicoise salad, a classic Dijon mustard vinaigrette works wonders!

FAQs

  • Can I replace smoked salmon with fresh salmon? Absolutely! Just make sure to cook it thoroughly before adding it to the salad.
  • What other vegetables can I add? Feel free to experiment! Some great additions could be bell peppers, asparagus, or zucchini.
  • Can I prepare this salad in advance? Yes, but remember to add the dressing just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.
  • Is this salad gluten-free? Yes, it is! However, always check the ingredients of your store-bought items like smoked salmon and mustard to be sure.
  • Can I use a different type of fish? Of course! Tuna or mackerel would also work well in this salad.
  • Enjoyed the versatility of this salad and want to try more salmon dishes? Why not explore the rich, umami flavors of our miso salmon recipe? It’s a simple yet delicious dish that will surely impress your dinner guests. Ready to take your salmon cooking skills to the next level? Click here to discover our mouthwatering miso salmon recipe now!

So, that’s about it for today, folks! I hope you enjoy making and eating this French Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad as much as I do. Until next time, happy cooking!

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