Branzino with Mesclun and Tomato–Herbes de Provence Vinaigrette
Branzino, known as loup de mer, or "wolf of the sea" in French, is mild and sweet. Its delicate flavor pairs nicely with a summery tomato–and–mixed herb vinaigrette. Scoring the fish skin before cooking prevents the fillets from curling in the pan.
Niçoise Salad Sandwich (Pan Bagnat)
Essentially a Niçoise salad in sandwich form, the pan bagnat is sold at nearly every outdoor market in Nice, France, as well as at bakeries and restaurants. For this version, tuna is pureed with red wine vinegar, olive oil, anchovies, and garlic to form a unique sandwich spread inspired by tonnato sauce. Spreading a tangy tuna dressing on the cut sides of the ciabatta allows it to get absorbed into the bread, giving the sandwich plenty of flavor while also making it easier to eat.
Entrecôte with Green Olive Tapenade Butter
This recipe offers a simple technique for both a perfectly cooked rib eye and a flavorful compound butter packed with pungent anchovies, piquant Dijon mustard and salty capers that packs a briny punch when melted onto the juicy grilled steaks. Look for small and nutty picholine olives, sweet and buttery Castelvetrano olives or large and tart Cerignola olives in the olive bar or at specialty grocery stores. For a classic bistro-inspired meal, serve the steak alongside a pile of french fries and a mesclun salad. You can keep the butter in the freezer for up to three months to quickly upgrade grilled steaks, pork chops, or fish fillets.
Linguine and Shrimp with Sauce Vierge
Sauce vierge, named after England's Queen Elizabeth I (also known as the Virgin Queen), is a fresh chopped tomato sauce with roots in southwestern France. Whether referred to as "virgin" due to being uncooked or because of the addition of extra virgin olive oil, this sauce is a wonderful example of how minimal preparation and perfect seasoning allow seasonal ingredients to shine. Briny capers, sweet shallots and fragrant lemon zest pair together to add bright complexity to acidic, sun-kissed tomatoes. Seek out very ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor in this summery sauce. Try it spooned over grilled fish or simply scooped up with warm, crusty bread.
Socca with Zucchini and Olives
Socca, also called farinata in Liguria, is a tender pancake made from chickpea flour. Unlike the versions in Nice, which are cooked in copper pans, this one is baked in a cast-iron skillet before it is topped with a summery marinated squash salad. Preheating the cast-iron skillet in a 450°F oven yields a socca that is both crisp and tender.
Grilled Pepper and Onion Panzanella with Peperoncini Vinaigrette
Molly Stevens' panzanella uses grilled sweet peppers and onions in place of tomatoes as the centerpiece of this dinner salad. The charred vegetables are tossed with cubes of grilled bread, drizzled with a peperoncini vinaigrette, and topped with creamy feta and crisp slices of peperoncini, which add pops of flavor and contrasting texture. This is a highly adaptable salad; try incorporating your favorite sweet or hot peppers and grilling other vegetables, such as squash and eggplant planks, alongside the peppers, if you like.
