Salade niçoise

This is surely the most famous and argued-over salad in the world. The purists banish lettuce and any boiled vegetables, and swear by cucumbers, fresh basil, little violet artichokes and fèves (beans). Just tell yourself that if you are not from Nice, you can never get it right, and go where your taste takes you. Personally, over the years I have got used to the soft blandness boiled potatoes give in contrast to the green-bean crunch and saltiness from olives and anchovies, and am pr