Spring Vegetable Herb Salad

Ingredients

• 1  pound asparagus, trimmed
• 3/4  pound sugar snap peas
• 1  pound assorted small new potatoes
• 1  tablespoon tarragon or white wine vinegar
• 2  teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4  cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3  tablespoons finely chopped shallot
• 1/2  cup torn mixed herbs (such as cilantro, basil, tarragon, chervil, and chives)

Directions

1. Bring a 4-quart pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add asparagus and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Return water in pot to a boil, add peas and cook until just tender, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander, then transfer to bowl of ice and cold water; let cool 1 minute. Drain vegetables and cut diagonally crosswise into 2-inch pieces.

2. Place potatoes in pot, cover with cold water by 2 inches and bring to a boil over moderately high heat; add salt. Simmer until potatoes are fork tender but not falling apart, about 15 minutes (depending on size); drain in colander. Cool until cold running water until potatoes are just warm; halve.

3. Whisk together vinegar and mustard in a large serving bowl; add oil in a slow stream, whisking until thickened and emulsified. Whisk in shallot; salt and pepper to taste. Add asparagus, peas, potatoes, and three-quarters of herbs, tossing gently to coat with dressing. Sprinkle remaining herbs over top. Makes 8 servings.