Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Total: 1 hr 30 min
- Prep: 30 min
- Cook: 1 hr
Ingredients
For the White Bean Puree:
1 1/2 cups dry great Northern beans
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cloves garlic (1 smashed and 1 minced)
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
6 cups chicken stock or water, divided
Coarse salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Few drops extra-virgin olive oil
Few drops lemon juice, optional
Few drops white balsamic vinegar, optional
Walnut oil, optional
For the Olive Tapenade:
1 1/2 cups pitted kalamata olives
3 tablespoons capers, drained
2 teaspoons finely minced lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For assembly:
8 slices potato bread, toasted
1/2 cup White Bean Puree
3/4 pound ahi tuna, seared
1/2 cup Olive Tapenade
12 marinated tomatoes, sliced
4 hard boiled eggs, sliced
1 cup French green beans
1 cup greens
1/4 cup micro basil
1/4 cup micro arugula
Directions
- For the White Bean Puree: Soak the beans overnight. Or place beans in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 1 hour. Drain the beans; transfer to a 2-quart pot with the diced onion, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, 5 cups of stock, and salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat; simmer until beans are very tender and are breaking apart, about 2 hours. If the mixture becomes dry, add some of the remaining stock. Drain the beans; discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Puree the beans in a food processor, adding a few drops of oil. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste, along with the lemon juice, white vinegar, and walnut oil, if desired. Reserve.
- For the Olive Tapenade: In a food processor or mortar, combine the olives, capers, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly add the oil and pulse or work with the pestle into a coarse paste, retaining some bits of olive and caper for texture. Taste to adjust the seasonings. Reserve.
- Sandwich Assembly: Smear with white bean puree on 4 pieces of potato bread. Arrange sliced tuna on top. Drizzle tapenade over tuna. Add sliced tomatoes, sliced egg and dressed French green beans. Top with greens and toasted bread. Garnish with basil and arugula.