GREEN BEAN AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with salt and pepper to taste. Slowly add the oil, whisking until the dressing is emulsified. Add the shallots, whisk briskly, and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (1 tablespoon sea salt per 2 quarts water) over high heat. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add the beans to the boiling water, return to a boil, and cook until the beans are tender but not mushy, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to the ice water and leave them there until they are chilled through. Drain the beans and spread them out on a tea towel to dry. Bring the water back to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until they are just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Check the potatoes; depending on the variety and their freshness, they may take substantially longer to cook. Drain the potatoes and set them aside to cool slightly. Whisk the dressing again to be sure all the ingredients are well blended. As soon as you can handle the potatoes (they should still be quite hot), cut them into bite-size pieces, dropping them right into the dressing. Toss the potatoes and set them aside at room temperature. About 20 minutes before serving the salad, toss in the beans.