Beef Salad with Potatoes and Cornichons

A hearty salad featuring wine-braised beef, tender potatoes, and crisp haricots verts, dressed with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette and garnished with cornichons and parsley. Perfect for a sophisticated main course salad.

4 servings
1 hr 45 min

Ingredients

  • 2 large large boiling potatoes (1 pound total)
  • 3 cups shredded wine-braised chuck roast
  • 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
  • tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
  • ¾ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 5 tablespoons mild olive or vegetable oil
  • ½ pound haricots verts or regular green beans
  • 1 head Bibb lettuce
  • 6 whole cornichons
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Place potatoes on a 12-inch square of foil, then prick each with a fork and wrap in foil. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. (Potatoes are done when a small knife pierces centers easily.) Unwrap potatoes and cool slightly.

    60 min

  3. 3.

    Reheat beef in a small baking dish, covered, in oven or in microwave until warm. While beef is heating, whisk together vinegar, mustard, shallots, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until dressing is emulsified.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Steam beans in a steamer set over boiling water, covered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, transferring to a large bowl. Add hot beans to warm potatoes along with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette, gently tossing to coat.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Line a platter or 4 plates with lettuce leaves and arrange potato mixture on top. Toss meat, cornichons, and parsley with remaining vinaigrette and mound on top of potato mixture.

    10 min