The only thought running through my head as I prepared the salad was, "Oh man. Matt is not going to be happy when he gets home and sees what's for dinner." I mean, he'll eat salads, but he generally considers it to be part of a larger meal, not the meal itself. And this one looked so boring. At least, it looked boring to me. I found myself apologizing for the lameness of the dinner when Matt got home. He shrugged and said, "Eh. It's salad. With tuna." And he was right. It was salad. With tuna.
Maybe it lost all it's Nicoise magic when I omitted the anchovies and potatoes. The salad was dull, but I'm happy it prompted me to try oil-packed tuna. As far as I could tell, that's the only style they sell at my Italian supermarket, and it is not the cheapo lunch item that I'm used to. My can cost me nearly 4 euro (5.5 dollars), but it was worth it. It was much fresher smelling than Bumblebee or Chicken of the Sea. I never knew that a can of tuna didn't have to smell like a can of tuna. I'm a convert.
I doubt I'll make this salad again, but I'm going to load up my cabinet with my new pricey canned fishies.
Yeah, the good tuna is a revelation, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI traded out the potatoes for some cooked grains and was happier for it :-) I don't think you missed much by losing them.
I love potatoes in salads but can't do anchovies or tuna. Lucky for me others in my house liked this!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind all the components of this salad but I quite enjoyed the anchovies - first time using it in my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI spaced on the anchovies though I don't mind them. The potatoes to me really made it, especially when covered with dressing. I used water packed tuna, once mixed with the dressing it tasted great. Sorry it wasn't a hit for you guys.
ReplyDeleteSorry your salad with tuna didn't go over so well. I'm sure it didn't help that you didn't like half the ingredients. You were a good sport to try. Happy Dorista Anniversary. I enjoy "knowing" you too.
ReplyDelete:( Did you not try the Everyday Vinaigrette with it? This salad is kind of like the ceasar salad of France, for me its not simple - each ingredient adds something to the next but then I like tuna salads and I'm familiar with Nicoise so I loved it. Good for you for trying something new though! :) I hope the next recipe goes over better for you!
ReplyDeleteAt least there was a saving grace in the fish. I used tuna in springwater (yeah, I know, not oil-packed), but I liked the salad anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to find tuna that isn't waterpacked in our grocery stores here. I have always liked Trader Joe's tuna in oil but, since they don't have a store here in the mountains I will have to load up when I see one. It's too bad you didn't like this salad so much. I wonder if you ordered it in France is you would feel differently. At least the tuna was good and healthy and you discovered a new product you liked.
ReplyDeleteSorry this didn't wow you...but you made a very pretty salad :)
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't like the salad. I'm impressed you ate the green beans even though you don't like them. I never even buy things I don't like! I had the same experience. I was so amazed the first time I bought oil packed tuna. It's expensive, but so much better.
ReplyDeleteI splurged on the Italian tuna this time too. I kept hearing about how good it was so I decided to try it and was quite impressed. They also had salmon. I bought some but haven't tried it yet.
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