Potato Salad with Haricots Verts, Roquefort and Walnuts

If you can't find haricots verts--thin French string beans--buy the slenderest green beans you can find. Pack the prepared potatoes and beans separately, then arrange them on a platter when you reach your destination.

For potato salad:
2 pounds baby red-skinned potatoes, quartered
8 tablespoons Mustard Vinaigrette
2/3 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese
1/2 pound haricots verts, trimmed
1/3 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped

Mustard Vinaigrette (see recipe below)

To make potato salad:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix potatoes and 3 tablespoons vinaigrette in large baking dish. Roast 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. and continue roasting until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 50 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and cool slightly. Mix in 3 tablespoons vinaigrette and 1/3 cup Roquefort cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook haricots verts in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water to cool; drain well. Transfer to medium bowl. Mix in 3 tablespoons cheese, 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and walnuts. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange beans on platter. Mound potatoes in center of platter atop beans. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Serves: 4

Mustard Vinaigrette

1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup chopped shallots
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

Mix mustard and vinegar in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Mix in shallots and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover, chill. Bring to room temperature, mix before using.)

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Source: Bon Appétit May 1994

Prepared by: Margo for April 2000 meeting