Smoked trout niçoise
A variation on a colourful Provençale favourite, this hearty salad is just perfect for an early summer lunch, making the most of baby new potatoes and asparagus at the peak of their season.
600 grams (1 1⁄3 lb) baby new potatoes, scrubbed
250 grams (1⁄2 lb) asparagus, trimmed and cut into short lengths
250 grams (1⁄2 lb) cherry tomatoes, halved
1⁄3 cup pitted black olives
2 large eggs
175 grams (6 oz) smoked trout, flaked
90 grams (3 oz) arugula Parsley dressing
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon Dijonmustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1.First make the parsley dressing by putting the oil, lime juice, mustard and parsley in a screw-top jar, then shake thoroughly until combined. Season to taste.
2.Cook the potatoes in a pot of lightly salted, boiling water for about 15 minutes until just tender. Lift out the potatoes with a slotted spoon; leave whole if they are small or slice thickly if they are larger. Toss the potatoes in the dressing and set aside to allow the potatoes to absorb the flavours.
3.Bring the pot of water back to a boil and add the asparagus, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4–5 minutes until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon, refresh briefly under cold water, then drain. (This cools the asparagus quickly and helps to retain the bright green colour.) Stir the asparagus into the potatoes, along with the tomatoes and olives.
4.Add the eggs to the pot of water and simmer for 7 minutes. Remove, run under cold water until cool enough to handle, then peel away the shells and cut the eggs into quarters.
5.Add the eggs, flaked trout and arugula to the potatoes and toss lightly to coat evenly in the dressing. Serve slightly warm or cold.
Variations• The smoked trout can be replaced by canned tuna or salmon.• Quail’s eggs make a pretty alternative if they’re available — use 4 quail’s eggs to replace the 2 hen’s eggs and boil for 2–3 minutes. Cut in half.
Serves 4
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Each serving
24 g protein • 15.5 g fat of which 3 g saturates • 66.5 g carbohydrate • 8.5 g fibre • 527 Calories























