This is a new take on traditional salade Niçoise from Bon Appetit calls for halibut instead of tuna and a variety of seasonal vegetables. I used garlic scapes, green beans, baby potatoes and cherry tomatoes. The Green Olive Tapenade is great on fish or as a dip or spread.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the anchovies, olives and capers for additives. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Grilled halibut Niçoise with vegetables and olive tapenade

Ingredients:

4 large eggs

1½ pounds (675 g) skin-on halibut fillets

2 tablespoons (30 ml) plus ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

2 pounds (1 kg) mixed vegetables (such as scallions, garlic scapes, Romano beans, halved small eggplants, halved baby or new potatoes)

4 cups (1 L) torn lettuce leaves (such as romaine, red leaf, or butter)

1 cup Sun Gold tomatoes, halved

1 bunch small breakfast radishes, trimmed, halved lengthwise

1 cup (250 ml) Green Olive Tapenade

Green Olive Tapenade

10 oil-packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped

2 cups (500 ml) green olives, pitted, crushed

1 cup (250 ml) coarsely chopped parsley

1 cup (250 ml) olive oil

¼ cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped, drained capers

2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely grated lemon zest

¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Green Olive Tapenade

Mix anchovies, both olives, parsley, oil, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a large jar or medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.

Tapenade can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

Fish and salad

Place eggs in saucepan of water, covering them by at least 1 inch (2.5 cm). Bring water to rolling boil, then cover and remove pan from heat. Let eggs stand in water 18 minutes.  Drain and place in a large bowl of ice water; let cool.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Rub halibut with 2 tbsp. (30 ml) oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, skin side down, until skin is charred and fish is nearly cooked through, 5–8 minutes. Turn and grill just until cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer halibut to a plate and remove skin.

Toss vegetables with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and tender. Time will be different for each vegetable (about 2 minutes for scallions and garlic scapes, 4 minutes for Romano beans, 8–10 minutes for eggplants, 10–15 for potatoes). Transfer to a plate as they are done.

Carefully peel and halve eggs. Arrange lettuce leaves on a platter and place halibut, grilled vegetables, tomatoes, radishes, and eggs in separate areas on top. Spoon some Green Olive Tapenade over; serve remaining tapenade alongside. Serves 4.

From Bon Appetit