Updated post.
This was written prior to me becoming vegan.
A couple of weeks ago, my eldest son Oliver, 5, and I, took part in an exciting shoot for the très stylish French online outlet, La Redoute, which merged three of my greatest loves: family, food and fashion.
Kindly commissioning me to share one of my all time favourite French recipes: warm Salad Nicoise, and model for their site and this blog, they also sent over a new wardrobe of my choice for both my sons and myself.
I am once again reminded of how lucky I am that blogging is my job. This was another dream collab for me, and Oliver and I had so much fun cooking together and getting ‘our pose on’ in the garden!
That morning, we made a trip to my favourite Leeds grocer ‘The Fruit Stall’ in Chapel Allerton to pick up the ingredients for the shoot.
Oliver sweetly carried a straw basket around the store for me, carefully selecting the longest green beans he could find, ruby red vine tomatoes, fresh gem lettuce, red onions and huge heads of garlic, stuffing them all into brown paper bags and watching in awe as everything was weighed and bagged for us.
Nothing quite compares to smelling and touching fresh fruit and veg and choosing your own, market-style, a joyous first part to our cooking extravaganza!
Conveniently, a few shops down, we stumbled upon a fishmongers: ‘Tarbett’s’, all monochrome, shiny tiles, bright lights, and the freshest fish in town.
We picked up two red, meaty fillets of tuna, an ample one for Mama, a ‘baby’ one for Oliver. Beautiful.
Once home, we embarked on an impromptu shoot dans le jardin (!) before getting stuck right in to chopping, preparing and cooking up a storm in the kitchen!
My trusty photographer husband Peter was on hand to shoot so it was definitely a family affair. Being part French too, this really was the perfect campaign for us all!
…For those not in the know (where have you been?!) La Redoute is an elegant style hub (French style made easy), featuring its own namesake collection along with many French favourites too.
For this project I’m wearing a feminine sleeveless Mademoiselle R neoprene dress in black with delicate bow detail, and a Laura Clement silk, black cardigan with lace inset I know I will just wear and wear.
Oliver is rocking a Breton striped long sleeved cotton tee (which comes in a pack of 2, the other being a cool graphic fish and chip printed short sleeved t shirt).
Jeans are a deep blue straight-cut coated denim jeans, all by La Redoute.
And now for the food-
Warm Salad Nicoise Recipe:
Serves 2:
Ingredients:
- 400g baby new potatoes, halved
- 4 hard boiled eggs
- 200g green beans, ends chopped
- gem lettuce, washed
- a handful of tomatoes from the vine, washed and halved
- 1 red onion, sliced
- small handful black olives, stones removed
- small handful of capers
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- juice 1⁄2 lemon
- squeeze of red wine vinegar
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- drizzle of mild olive oil for cooking
- 2 tuna fillets
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Method:
Add the potatoes to a medium pan of boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes.
In another 2 small pans boil the eggs (depending on how soft you like them-hard boiled 10-15 minutes) and cook the green beans.
On a griddle pan, drizzle mild olive oil and place the tuna to cook (10-15 minutes)
Tear the lettuce leaves and arrange in a bowl/ plate
Arrange the tomatoes, red onion and olives
Drain the potatoes and add.
Check the tuna is cooked to your liking (mine was medium rare so was removed earlier than Oliver’s whose was well done).
Slice the tuna with a sharp knife and add to the plate.
Scatter the black olives and capers.
For the dressing, stir or whisk the garlic, lemon, vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Add some sea salt and ground pepper for yourself ( I poured Oliver’s without first). Pour over the salad and serve.
We made a smiley face for Oliver’s plate and omitted some ingredients he doesn’t like.
Et voilà, a tasty, nutritious meal for all the family.
So do you like our style and recipe?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments.
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Gorgeous post. Love the food, the clothes and most of all the two models. x
Ebabee recently posted…Delightful dotty decor…
Hehe love you too lady thank you xx
Looks like a lovely fresh and summery recipe. I love your son’s facial expressions and looks like you had fun bonding together X
Hehe thanks, we had such a lovely time as we always do cooking, I love that he shares my passion in food x
Looks nice and like you had fun making it! I’m very jealous as I’m eating boring cheerios at the moment. No egg or tuna in my bowl! 🙂
The DADventurer (Dave) recently posted…The Changing Face Of Baby L During Her First Year
Aw get some in there dude, I always feel better when I eat less sugar and more tasty good carbs, fats & protein-brain and soul food x
I just love the sight of fresh vegetables ready to be turned into a healthy meal. I also absolutely love La Redoute’s men’s range. May have one or two items in my wardrobe as it happens! Good luck with the campaign. As ever, thanks for hosting #BrilliantBlogPosts
John Adams recently posted…Free as a bird
The men’s range is amazing isn’t it, going to pick up some pieces for Peter, thanks for your kind words 🙂
Beautiful photos and the salad looks pretty good too! 🙂
Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers recently posted…My Top 6 Guilty Pleasures
Hehe, thanks very much 🙂
This looks gorgeous, as do your photos as always! I can’t ever resist the combo of fragrant cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion and with fresh tuna…YUM!
International Elf Service recently posted…Talking To Our Kids About Death
OOh so glad you like it, great minds (and tastes) huh x
mm this sounds yummy and beautiful photos loving that LBD #brilliantblogposts
Everything Mummy recently posted…My week in pictures #31
Thanks so much lovely x
Oh, that looks delicious, and I love the clothes, particularly that dress. Very chic. #brilliantblogposts
Alison recently posted…White Chocolate and Raspberry Rice Pudding
Thanks Alison 🙂
I used to love La Redoute when I was at uni, and afterwards, but haven’t bought anything from there for years.
I love proper fresh tuna, but the OH doesn’t. I’d love this (minus the olives). Great photos.
Emma T recently posted…13 essential tasks for preparing children starting school
Thanks Emma, like with Oliver’s you could adapt the salad to make it work for you, does your husband like salmon, it works well with that or even chicken. So impressed with the beautiful pieces from La Redoute x
What a great way to bring many of the things you like together into one post. The salad looked really tasty and didn’t look too complicated to make. Great job. #BrilliantBlogPosts
Rob recently posted…A toast: To 50 years
Thanks so much Rob 🙂
Vicki this looks soooooooo delicious!! The photography is fabulous as always and the dress is very, very cute (love those bows). I was LR’s brand ambassador for 2014-15 so I know very well how fabulous their collections are – there’s almost too much choice!!
Catherine x
Catherine @ Not Dressed As Lamb recently posted…How to Wear More Than Three Colours | Lilac, Cobalt, White, Peach and Orange
Thanks beautiful, I remember, you were the most amazing model and ambassador for them, I love their pieces and really enjoyed merging my love of food and fashion with this campaign x
What a gorgeous post. Your son is adorable and the recipe looks divine. I love the dress Vicki. The bow is so cute. Thank you for hosting #BrilliantBlogPosts xxx
Thank you darling, love a bit of bow detail x
Mmmmm… salad nicoise is a big favourite of mine and this recipe looks delicious! Love the pieces you choise from La Redoute, fab brand, and you look stunning in that dress honey. Hope you had an amazing holiday too and can’t wait to read about it xxx #BrilliantBlogPosts
Michelle Reeves (The Essex Barn) recently posted…Banish boring flooring with Harvey Maria
Thanks darling, the pieces were gorgeous, I’ll be sharing more across both blogs soon, we had a lovely holiday thanks darling, seems so long ago now and we’ve only just got back, hope you guys are well xx
Looks delicious and amazing pictures as well!
Welcome back, can’t wait to read about your Spanish holiday 🙂 I love the dress you are wearing here! Thanks for hosting #brilliantblogposts
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted…Things I’ve Learned Through Blogging
I love La Redoute but must admit I forgot about them for a while and only recently re-discovered them when shopping for a raincoat for my daughter. They have some great clothes, I’ll definitely be shopping more with them in the future.
Ali recently posted…Hippy Dinners by Abbie Ross – A Review
They are fabulous aren’t they, love the kidswear too, happy shopping x
Looks delicious and love the little smiley face one for Oliver. Beautiful photos as always! 🙂 x
Jenny recently posted…Strathspey Railway – Steam Trains and Cake
Thanks Jenny, love that cute little smile xx
Ooh, I did this collaboration too. Such fun, wasn’t it? That salad is making me peckish! 🙂
Adele recently posted…Making Vegan Pot de Crème with La Redoute
Glad you like it Adele, so much fun, will pop over to your blog now and check it out!
The salad looks amazing and what a beautiful dress. #brilliantblogposts
Catie recently posted…Flashback Friday #9
Thanks so much Catie x
Wow sounds like a dream! The salad looks so yummy! Will definitely have to try this one. Gemma xx http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Gemma recently posted…These Shoes Are Made For Walking
Thanks Gemma, hope you love it x
stunning photos as usual, you’re both so photogenic. I love La Redoute, good classic clothes and not a bad price, thanks for sharing the recipe, I’ve been waiting to make something with tuna ever since my mum returned from France saying how much better they are fresh. #briliantblogposts
ali recently posted…The Ultimate Scone Recipe
Thanks beautiful Ali, I love La Redoute, the pieces they’ve sent us all are so well made and of course so chic. Are you part French? Hope you love the recipe as much as we do x
I love La Redoute, have a few of their pieces myself. I love tuna but have never thought to make this at home- only seem to have it when I’m out! xx
Katy recently posted…Real Mums – Tattooed Lady With A Baby
Ooh it’s so quick and easy to make at home, you must try it, La Redoute are fab aren’t they x
The food looks absolutely gorgeous as do your clothes! I love the black dress!
I love La Redoute but haven’t looked at their site for a while…will be taking a look soon! x
Laura Evelyn Bee recently posted…Can you blog with an anonymous family?
So pleased Laura, love their pieces x
Looks delicious! I love cooking when my daughter can get involved, something about it I find so relaxing!
Kay xxx
Kay recently posted…Treasure Those Memories
I’m the same Kay, it’s one of my favourite things to do with the kids x
This looks perfect! Photography is so inviting, I’ll definitely be making this soon. Love the dress, simple classic lines, lovely.
Nancy recently posted…Paleo Lobster Stew
Yay so pleased and you are so right, so classically chic x
You’ve made me hungry …! Time for lunch I think. The outfits are beautiful too. Must have a look at Redoute
Thanks lovely, so glad you like the food and the fashion x
I love that dress, the bows are so cute! Love how you got to do it with your son! The salad looks amazing 🙂 x #BrillantBlogPosts
Emma’s Mamma recently posted…Daddy and London
It was the dream collab, fun with all the family, so glad you liked it x
This looks delicious! I love a tuna niscoise – and your boys eat it too which is fab! Mine are not fans of lettuce of any kind but love carrot, cucumber and beetroot.
Maria @ Suburban Mum recently posted…SOS Mummy Survival Kit
Oh you can adapt to what they like x
How fun to have a little helper about the place, I can’t say my dog is as useful 😉 The dress you’re wearing is stunning, such a gorgeous shape and I’m SO happy that’s a recipe for 2, perfect for me and Pete! Beautiful photos as always X
Lins @Boo & Maddie recently posted…Barnaby & Co – New Interiors Destination
Yay so glad you like it, thank you lovely x
Such a classic salad – yum! Fantastic photos lovely and a gorgeous commission x P.S Naturally I love the dress! Tres chic! x
#BrilliantBlogPosts
Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…HOW ‘WELL’ IS YOUR WELLBEING?
Thanks, beautiful dress isn’t it and glad you like the recipe, we had so much fun making it x
This looks lovely I’m a bit boring when it comes to making salads but think this might have inspired me to try something different. #brilliantblogposts
Zoe dunn recently posted…The White Loaf: Simple Things For…..
Yay so pleased Zoe, hope you like it x
Wow the food looks amazing and you are both super cute. I’m really excited for the baby being old enough to do a little cooking with me 🙂
#brilliantblogposts
Mama, My Kid Doesn’t Poop Rainbows recently posted…The Skype Generation
Aw it really is the greatest fun, thank you for your lovely comment x
Food looks lovely, despite the fact I don’t like tuna! Loving the clothes – very stylish. #brilliantblogposts
Silly Mummy recently posted…Right, What’s The Problem: The Ten Funniest Things The Toddler Said Last Week
Thanks so much, this works well with salmon too x
That salad looks so scrumptious, especially with all the ingredients I love! That dress looks beautiful too, suits you perfectly. #brillblogposts
Thanks very much Cheryl x
With you all the way on tuna niçoise salad, also one of my favourites. Particularly when it’s with a delicious, fresh piece of tuna steak. My mouth is watering … thanks for hosting #BrilliantBlogPosts
Milly – DamBaby recently posted…Lessons from a year of parenting
So glad you like it Milly x
You both look fab. Can’t beat a breton stripe and a LBD. Love tuna nicoise, a pefect summery supper
Megan – truly Madly Kids recently posted…Facing up to Fifty..
Thanks lovely x
Wow, that looks gorgeous and I don’t even like tuna hahaha!! Congrats on the colab, its clear you work super hard so you deserve this 🙂
#brilliantblogposts
Gemma – @mumofabean recently posted…More than JUST a Mum
Thanks Gemma x
This looks so delicious. What great photos. Your photos always look so professional and are lovely to look at. WelcomR back from holiday ? x
Thanks so much Tanita, Peter is amazing behind the lens x
Love the style, love the recipe! Both look gorgeous. Welcome back hun x
Becky, Cuddle Fairy recently posted…#foodpornthursdays 15
Thanks beautiful x
It’s only 7am but this is making me long for lunchtime – it looks delicious! Love the smiley face version too 🙂 Oh I used to love La Redoute – you’ve inspired me to have another look 🙂 Mim x #brilliantblogposts
Mim recently posted…Weight Loss Wednesday – Week 7
OOh you must, fab brand and I adore the pieces they sent for all the family, so glad you like the recipe too, thanks xx