Not-Quite Nicoise with Lime-Chive Cream

For the Salad

• 1 1/4 pound tiny creamer potatoes, trimmed
• 3/4 pounds French filet beans or regular green beans, stem end removed
• About 4 cups butter lettuce leaves, loosely packed, washed and spun dry
• About 2 cups baby spinach leaves, washed and spun dry
• 2 pointed sweet red peppers (or 1 large red bell pepper), quartered lengthwise and sliced crosswise
• 3 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise
• 3 ripe, red-brown or other flavorful tomatoes, cored and sliced into wedges
• 4 hard-cooked eggs, halved
• 1 clove from a head of shallot, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, cut into thin wedges (optional, but good)
• about 3 oz of mild smoked salmon such as Scottish or Gaspe, sliced in ribbons, or one filet of smoked, peppered mackerel, flaked (about 3 oz.), as preferred

1. Bring a medium pot of water, seasoned with salt, to the boil, and add the beans. Cover and turn off heat. After about 3 minutes, beans should be crisp-tender. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon to a bowl, rinse with cold water to refresh, drain, and set aside
2. Re-heat water to boiling point, add potatoes, reduce heat, and simmer until just tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
3. Toss lettuces together and arrange on individual plates.
4. Over lettuces, arrange remaining vegetables and eggs prettily and as your whim dictates, ending with smoked fish and shallots. Drizzle with lime cream dressing and serve.

For the lime cream

• 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoon creme fraiche
• juice of 1/2 lime
• zest of 1 lime
• fine sea salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon mild honey
• 2 tablespoons minced chives
• 5 tablespoons olive oil

1. Whisk creme fraiche, lime juice, zest, salt, and honey together until smooth. Add chives and whisk again to incorporate
2. While whisking, add olive oil in a thin stream until blended. Drizzle over individual salads. Note: if increasing, taste for seasoning as it should be tart but not too tart and may require adjustment.