Niçoise Tuna Salad with Olive Oil
Olive oil plays a key role in the the following French Niçoise Tuna Salad recipe. If possible, use a French brand but any mild olive oil works too!
Keep up with your healthy brain diet using this simple switch in the kitchen: avoid using butter, high in cholesterol and packed with unhealthy fats, and replace it with olive oil. As a top brain-boosting food item, olive oil is rich in good-for-you monounsaturated fats, which keep your cognitive abilities sharp. Another great benefit of using olive oil over other oils with monounsaturated fats, such as peanut oil and sunflower oil, is that when heated, olive oil retains its nutrients and is also flexible enough to use in many dishes.
Calories:
Ingredients
- 1/4 white onion thinly sliced
- 1/8 small red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp extra vigin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1 6oz can of tuna packed in olive oil
- lemon juice to taste
- lettuce leaves such as Boston, green-leaf, or other leafy green
- 8 tomato slices
- 6-8 hard boiled egg slices
- 4 anchovy fillets drained
- nicoise olives
- 1/4 cup scallions chopped
- 1/2 cup radishes sliced
Instructions
- Combine the red and white onion with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil,1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper in a bowl.
- Using your hands, mix and squeeze everything together for 5 minutes. (Don't rush through this part; the onions need time to release their juices and mellow.)
- Work in can of tuna in olive oil, including the oil. Season with fresh lemon juice, red-wine vinegar, and salt, then add pepper to taste.
- Cut kaiser rolls in half crosswise and spread each bottom half with lettuce leaves. Use a couple of varieties—whatever looks good—for the difference in texture.
- On top of each lettuce layer, arrange 4 tomato slices (skip this step if you don't have good—really good—tomatoes on hand). Then add about half the tuna mixture and 3 to 4 slices of hard-boiled egg.
- Crisscross each sandwich with 2 drained anchovy fillets and strew with Niçoise olives (pit them if desired), chopped scallion greens, and sliced radishes. Then drizzle generously with more olive oil and top with the remaining kaiser halves, pressing gently but firmly.
Looking for more brain friendly recipes? Check out our brain health recipes, or schedule a consultation with Dr. Diane® for personal help customizing your diet for your symptoms!
