Easy Nicoise Salad ™

This is an easy version of the French classic. I've used canned tuna packed in water,  but you can also used wild caught grilled tuna as well. I've also used fresh green beans, but you can use frozen green beans if needed.

8 oz.  tuna (canned or grilled)
2 c lettuce (romaine or red leaf)
1 c green beans
1 boiled large potato, cut into eighths
1 - 2 oz olives
2 hard cooked eggs, quartered.
8 cherry or grape tomatoes halved.

Rinse and prepare green beans. If using frozen beans, remove bag from freezer. Combine beans, water and salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 - 5 minutes or until heated. Remove from heat, drain and set aside to cool.

Rinse potato, cut into eighths,  place potato in a pot. Cover potato with water and bring to a boil for 10 - 15 min.Drain water and set potato aside a few minutes to cool.

Rinse and pat dry lettuce. Place into salad bowl.

Rinse and halve tomatoes, arrange over lettuce.

Prepare eggs, cut into quarters and arrange over lettuce.

Arrange cooled potatoes and beans over lettuce.

Open tuna cans and drain tuna in sieve or colander. Make sure tuna is well drained. If using grilled tuna, cut tuna into slices.Arrange tuna over lettuce.

Top salad with olives and place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

To serve: toss with your favorite vinaigrette 

Serves 4.

Derby Day Mule ™

This is perfect for watching the big race or anytime.

This is my version of the southern classic. For the kiddie version, omit bourbon.

6 c ginger ale
4 - 6 oz (1/2 c - 3/4 c) bourbon
2 limes
Ice

Cut 1 lime into wedges, set aside. Cut other lime in half, set aside. 

In a pitcher, combine: ginger ale, bourbon, ice. Squeeze some of the lime into pitcher. Stir and let chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

To serve: Remove pitcher from refrigerator. Over ice, pour ginger ale mixture into 4 - 6 glasses, garnish with lime wedges.

Serves 4 - 6.