This is a nicoise salad I made, it's great because it's so elegant looking and at the same time so easy to create. Plus everyone can pick and choose what they want to eat. I don't have the step-by-step photographed, but my friend was able to take the shots on his iPhone before we dug in. I grilled a tuna steak, with salt pepper and extra virgin olive oil. It took about 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill pan and set aside. I boiled some small red potatoes in heavily salted water until cooked through. Remove from pot and set aside. I used grape tomatoes, which I sliced in half, and sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, a tsp of minced garlic, some thyme, fresh chopped basil + parsley, and some salt + pepper. I let them cook until the skins were getting loose from the bodies. Remove from pan and set aside. I made a vinaigrette dressing using 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tbs dijon mustard, 3 tbs white wine vinegar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbs fresh parsley, and juice from 1/2 lemon. Whisk together and add salt and pepper to taste. I put the potatoes in a Tupperware container, and a little of the vinaigrette, and gave them a good shake. While they were sitting and soaking up the vinaigrette, I started arranging the salad. I used romaine lettuce and created a base, and added a handful of blanched green beans, some bean sprouts, I flaked the cooked tuna and spread that around, I added the herbed tomatoes, the potatoes, some sliced cucumbers, and three hard boiled eggs cut in half. Then I drizzled the vinaigrette all over the salad. Everyone L O V E D it. It's one good looking salad. ;)
