Niçoise Stuffed Baguette Recipes

NIçOISE STUFFED BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Bring a small pan of water to the boil. Add the eggs and boil for 10 mins. Drain, then run the eggs under the cold tap to cool quickly. Carefully shell and cut the eggs into wedge-shaped quarters. Meanwhile, mix all the ingredients for the shallot vinaigrette with seasoning and stir in the oil from the tuna.
• Slice the loaf in half lengthways, but not all the way through, so it opens up like a book. Use your fingers to pull out any bread that easily comes away from the top half to hollow the loaf a little.
• On the bottom half of the loaf, drizzle over the vinaigrette. Stir the mayonnaise into the tuna and spread on top. Now layer in the tomatoes, basil, olives, eggs and anchovies.
• Tightly roll up in baking parchment and secure down the length with elastic bands or string. Press really well all the way down the loaf, then chill overnight. Cut into slices if feeding a crowd, or into 4 lengths.

TUNA NICOISE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Gently lower the eggs into the boiling water with a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 10 minutes, until both the whites and yolks are fully set (hard-boiled). Transfer to a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking. Peel the eggs, then thinly slice.
• Meanwhile, place the red onion in a small bowl and cover with ice water. Soak for 5 to 15 minutes (this will remove some of the sharp, raw onion flavor). Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Drain all of the oil from the tuna fillets, then break up into bite-size pieces. Fold the tuna into the dressing until evenly coated.
• Cut the demi baguette in half crosswise, then halve each piece lengthwise to create 2 sandwiches. Spread the tapenade on the inside of the sandwich tops. Layer the tomato, red onion, egg and tuna on each sandwich bottom, dividing evenly. Top with the cucumber and spring greens, then close the sandwiches. Wrap each sandwich in parchment and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 hours. Alternatively, cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately.

NICOISE SALAD BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Split the baguette open and partially hollow out the center using your hands. Spread the olive tapenade on both halves of the baguette. Slice the egg into rounds. Slice the green beans on the bias into small pieces. Place the arugula on the bottom half of the baguette, then layer the tuna, tomato, egg, green beans and parsley. Top with the top half of the baguette.
• Make up to 2 days ahead of serving.

STUFFED BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Slice baguette in half lengthwise.
• Hollow out leaving a shell ½" thick. Set aside.
• Cook spinach, drain and chop in processor; add cheese, basil, and milk; pulse till smooth. Spread on inside surface of bread. Combine ham, nuts, mustard and enough mayonnaise to moisten the mixture.
• Pack filling on the bottom half of bread mounding slightly.
• Put loaf back together.
• Envelop tightly in plastic and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Slice on the diagonal and serve.

NICOISE SALAD SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook green beans until bright green and tender, 3 minutes. Drain, rinse under cool water, and chop. In a medium bowl, whisk together mustard, vinegar, shallot, and olive oil. Drain tuna, then break into chunks and add to vinaigrette, along with green beans. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir to combine. In a food processor, pulse together tomatoes, olives, and parsley. Split baguette lengthwise and scoop out most of the insides. Arrange a few lettuce leaves on bottom half; top with tuna mixture and eggs. Spread tomato-olive mixture on top half of baguette and place on sandwich. To serve, cut crosswise into 4 pieces.

SALADE NIçOISE SANDWICH

Steps:

• 1. Place the potatoes in cold salted water in a medium pan and bring to a boil. Simmer until tender, about 15 minutes, then cool, peel, and quarter.
• 2. Combine the vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper and mix well. Stirring constantly, pour in the oil in a steady stream. Dress the quartered potatoes with about a tablespoon of dressing.
• 3. Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add salt and pepper and enough dressing to lightly coat the lettuce (all but about 2 tablespoons). Toss, mixing well. Arrange the eggs, onions, tomatoes, radishes, olives, capers, anchovies, and tuna over the lettuce. Sprinkle the eggs, onions, tomatoes, and radishes with salt. Drizzle the salad with any remaining dressing, then toss gently and serve.
• Variation:
• Split 1 large or 2 small baguettes. Pull out and then discard some of the white bread inside and then fill with salad. Set aside for about 20 minutes, then cut into 8 pieces and serve.