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Ask Dr. Gourmet
What is "Nicoise?"
I know that recipes say "Nicoise" but what does the term mean?
Dr. Gourmet Says...
Nicoise is the French word for "in the style of Nice." So, any dish that is labeled Nicoise would be in the cooking style of Nice, France.
Usually these are recipes that have black olives, tomatoes and anchovies. The predominant flavoring is often garlic.
The most typical dish seen in America is Salade Nicoise. This includes the olives, tomatoes, anchovies and a vinaigrette along with beans, tuna, and hard boiled eggs. I wrote an article about Salade Nicoise a few years ago, and here is a Chopped Nicoise Salad variation.
Thanks for writing,
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet