Make steak a summer treat with a tasty niçoise

Slices of iron-rich rump steak top a mixture of vitamin-packed vegetables in this healthy spin on the delicious French classic. It's a wonderful alternative to the usual grilling fare that's sure delight family and friends alike.

• 1 thick-cut lean rump steak (350 g/12 oz), trimmed
• 1 ml (1⁄4 tsp) dried herbes de Provence, or to taste
• Pinch each of salt and pepper
• 500 g (1 lb) small new potatoes, scrubbed
• 250 g (1⁄2 lb) green beans, trimmed
• 250 g (1⁄2 lb) frozen fava beans, thawed
• 250 g (1⁄2 lb) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 125 ml (1⁄2 c) mixed pitted black and green olives
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) snipped chives
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) chopped parsley
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) red wine vinegar
• 10 ml (2 tsp) Dijon mustard
• 150 ml (5 oz) baby spinach leaves
• 1 L (4 c) torn lettuce leaves

Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 20 minutes. Serves 4.

1. Pat steak dry with paper towel. Season on both sides with herbes de Provence and salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook potatoes in a large pan of boiling water, 10 minutes. Add green and fava beans. Cook until all vegetables are just tender, about five minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water to cool.
3. Combine potatoes, beans, tomatoes, olives, chives and parsley in a large bowl. Set aside.
4. Heat ridged cast-iron grill pan or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Grill steak three minutes each side or until cooked as liked. Remove to plate and let stand five minutes.
5. Combine oil, vinegar, mustard and 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) water in a screw-top jar. Season with salt and pepper. Shake to combine.
6. Slice steak thinly. Add to vegetables. Pour any juices that have collected on the plate into the dressing. Pour dressing over meat and vegetables, and toss well.
7. Place spinach and lettuce leaves in a large bowl. Spoon steak salad over the top.

Per serving:

• 500 Calories
• 35 g Protein
• 19 g Fat (including 3 g Saturated Fat)
• 50 mg Cholesterol
• 51 g Carbohydrates
• 17 g Fibre
• 890 mg Sodium

With its mixture of grilled vegetables and finely-cooked steak, this niçoise makes a full meal almost entirely on its. own. So instead of warming up the BBQ, try this refreshing alternative.