Nadiya Hussain’s Family Favourites: Niçoise bake

Nadiya Hussain’s Family Favourites: Niçoise bake

Nadiya Hussain's Family Favourites introduces a delightful twist on the traditional Niçoise salad with her Niçoise Bake. This dish transforms the classic salad into a warm, comforting bake, perfect for family dinners or as a unique offering at gatherings.

Brief Description of the Recipe

The Niçoise Bake is a creative bake that combines the elements of a Niçoise salad—like tuna, green beans, and olives—with a warm, cheesy topping. It's an innovative way to enjoy the flavors of a Niçoise salad in a more substantial form.

Cultural or Historical Context

This recipe is a testament to Nadiya Hussain's knack for reinventing traditional dishes with a modern twist, making them more accessible and appealing to a broad audience. Niçoise salad, originating from Nice, France, is traditionally made with tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Niçoise olives, anchovies, and dressed with olive oil. Hussain's bake version maintains the essence of this classic while providing a hearty, warm meal.

Ingredients List

  • New potatoes (about 375g)
  • Eggs (4)
  • Tuna (2 x 170g tins, drained)
  • Cherry tomatoes, quartered (5)
  • Green beans, cut into 2.5cm pieces (115g)
  • Small red onion, thinly sliced
  • Pitted black olives, halved (100g)
  • Anchovies, chopped finely (3)
  • Parmesan shavings (150g)
  • For the dressing: olive oil (5 tbsp), garlic (2 cloves, crushed and chopped), balsamic vinegar (2 tbsp), dried parsley (1 tsp), dried chives (2 tsp), salt (½ tsp)

Preparation Instructions

The preparation involves boiling and quartering new potatoes, simmering eggs, and combining them in a baking dish with tuna, tomatoes, beans, onions, olives, and anchovies. A dressing made from olive oil, garlic, vinegar, herbs, and salt is then mixed in before topping with Parmesan shavings and baking until warm and crisp.

Storage and Reheating

For best results, this dish should be enjoyed immediately after baking. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven to retain the texture of the crispy Parmesan topping.

Nutritional Information

This bake is a well-rounded meal containing protein from the tuna and eggs, carbohydrates from the potatoes, and a variety of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. The olive oil and Parmesan cheese add a good source of healthy fats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can I substitute ingredients in the Niçoise Bake? Yes, while the traditional ingredients are recommended for the authentic taste, feel free to substitute based on availability or preference, keeping the balance of flavors and textures in mind.
  • Is this recipe suitable for meal prep? Yes, the components can be prepared in advance, but it's best assembled and baked just before serving for optimal taste and texture.

This recipe showcases Nadiya Hussain's talent for creating dishes that are both comforting and innovative, making it a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their meal routine. The original recipe can be found in Nadiya’s Family Favourites by Nadiya Hussain (£20, Michael Joseph).

For more detailed instructions and additional tips, please refer to the original sources at Foodies Magazine​​ and BALANCE​​.

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