niçoise

[ nee-swahz; French nee-swaz ]

adjective

1. in the style of Nice, France.
2. garnished or prepared with tomatoes, and often anchovies, black olives, capers, etc.:

   salade niçoise.

noun

1. niçoise olive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of niçoise¹

Ellipsis of French à la niçoise ( niçoise, feminine of niçois, equivalent to Nice Nice + -ois, Old French -eis < Latin -ēnsis -ensis )

Example Sentences

The cod she might put on toast for a “little Nicoise on toast kind of thing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dinner and a full cocktail menu are in the plans for later this summer, but for now, head here for what might be the world’s best orange pecan shortbread cookies, plus incredible meatball subs and killer niçoise salads.

From Seattle Times

In her Five Weeknight Dishes newsletter, Emily Weinstein shares this tip from a reader: If you’re cooking for picky eaters, try a Niçoise salad, which lets everyone pick their favorites off the platter.

From New York Times

Some of the fancy stuff I became hooked on like foie gras, Kobe A5 Wagyu, niçoise salads, flambés, and all that didn't really interest him.

From Salon

For Thanksgiving, I might go all-out with ribs, sauteed zucchini, wagyu kebabs, quail loins, eggplant parmesan, jellied yams, eXtra uni, veal Nicoise.

From Washington Post

More About Nicoise

What does niçoise mean?

Niçoise is most often used in the name of a salad that typically includes tomatoes, olives, and anchovies, among other ingredients.

In general, niçoise means “in the style of Nice, France.” Niçoise is also used to refer to the niçoise olive, a small variety of olive with a rich, nutty flavor. Because it refers to a place name, it is sometimes capitalized as Niçoise. It is properly spelled with the mark under the c (called a cedilla), but that is usually omitted by English speakers.

Example: I love a good niçoise salad, especially when it has tuna.

Where does niçoise come from?

Niçoise comes from the French phrase à la niçoise and means “of Nice,” a French city on the Mediterranean coast. Other things can be described as niçoise (like the olive), but it is best known as the name of the salad associated with Nice, France, where it is said to have originated. In French, it is called salade niçoise.

Niçoise salad usually contains tomatoes, olives, and anchovies, and it is usually dressed with olive oil. However, controversy reigns over what the correct formulation should be. Purists claim that the original was made with just tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil. However, common additions include hard-boiled eggs, tuna, potatoes, green beans, spring onions, and basil. Some suggest that even adding lettuce is unacceptable.

After you decide exactly what you should put in it, make sure you know how to pronounce it: it’s [ nee-swahz ] (not [ nih-koiz ]).

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that often get used in discussing niçoise?

• salad
• olive
• niçoise olive
• tomato
• anchovy

How is niçoise used in real life?

Niçoise salad is one of those popular salads with a famous name, like Caesar salad, Cobb salad, and Waldorf salad.

Drizzling Nicoise Salad with a tangy mustard-lemon vinaigrette!#food #salad #tuna #eating@MelissasProduce pic.twitter.com/bDGZFjnOVV

— Catherine McBride (@McBrideWriter) January 13, 2020

We can’t believe it’s been a week since our immersion day! A tuna Niçoise salad wouldn’t have gone a miss today! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/VoEdyDAlIV

— Y5@NEP (@Y5_NEP) January 17, 2020

This easy to make #Nicoise Salad #Recipe has it all! Fresh veggies and hearty protein, drizzled in the best vinaigrette ever 😋
Make this #French classic in 20 mins! 🥗#salad #easyrecipe #feedfeed #nom
Get the Recipe 👉 https://t.co/GNXPxufUG6 pic.twitter.com/1TXGZQKYV4

— Pickled Plum Food and Drinks (@misspickledplum) December 22, 2019

 

 

Try using niçoise?

Which of the following things would not be appropriate to describe as niçoise?

A. a type of olive
B. a salad with tomatoes, olives, and anchovies
C. a type of Italian bread made in Naples