Asparagus, tuna and bean salad with shallot and caper vinaigrette
by UK Shallots.
This substantial and filling Summer dish is a bit like a classic 'nicoise' salad, easy, filling and nutritious it has a great Summer vibe.
Ingredients
- For the dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1-2 tsp runny honey, to taste
- 2 shallots, very finely chopped
- 1 tbsp capers, roughly chopped
- a handful of parsley, finely chopped
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the salad:
- 2 eggs
- 250g bunch asparagus, ends trimmed andcut into 2-3 pieces
- 400g tin butterbeans, drained and rinsed
- 250g pack ready to eat beetroot, drainedand diced
- 160g tin of good-quality tuna steak,drained and roughly flaked
- a few olives
Method
- Make the dressing by adding the oil,vinegar, honey, shallots, capers and parsley to a jam jar and shaking well. Season to taste with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
- To cook the eggs, add them to a small pan and cover with cold water. Bring the pan up to a steady simmer and cook for 5 minutes for a set white and almost set yolk. Cook for a minute less for a truly runny yolk, and a minute longer for a harder yolk. Drain and run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Peel, cut in half and set aside.
- While the eggs are cooking, plunge the asparagus into boiling water and cook for about 3-4 minutes until just tender. Drain well and tip into a bowl. Add the butter beans and pour over half the dressing, tossing together to mix.
- Spoon the dressed beans and asparagus between 2 plates or bowls. Scatter over the beetroot, tuna flakes and olives, top with the halves of egg, and season with a little extra salt and pepper. Finally spoon over the rest of the dressing.
- Serve whilst still warm. Or pack into lunch boxes and chill until required.