Niçoise Salad

Place eggs in a single layer in a non-aluminum saucepan. Add water to cover 1 inch above eggs. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Peel and slice in half.

Blanch green beans: Boil about 7 minutes, until bright green and crisp-tender; then plunge immediately into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Sprinkle salt and pepper over tuna on both sides; press seasonings into the flesh.

Pour olive oil into a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sear tuna well, creating a peppery crust, about 3 minutes. Turn tuna over carefully and repeat.

Remove tuna to a platter. After about 10 minutes, slice and arrange it. Add little piles of green beans, radishes, and eggs. Add little piles of olives around and in between other ingredients.

In a separate salad bowl, toss lettuce with enough Simple Vinaigrette to coat. Place a pile of lettuce leaves on each of 8 plates; guests may select tuna and toppings from the large platter.