ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH CELERY LEAVES, QUAIL EGGS, AND TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Asparagus Salad with Celery Leaves, Quail Eggs, and Tarragon Vinaigrette image

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 quail eggs
1 pound green asparagus (preferably thin), trimmed
Kosher salt to taste
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar (preferably tarragon)
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup safflower or grapeseed oil
1 small shallot, thinly sliced into rings
3 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh tarragon
1 cup pale green celery leaves (from center of bunch)

Steps:

Cover eggs with cold water in a very small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, 5 minutes. Rinse eggs under cold running water to stop cooking, then peel and quarter.
Cut asparagus on a very sharp diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices (about 2 inches long), leaving 2-inch tips. Halve tips lengthwise if thicker than rest of slices. Arrange asparagus on a steamer rack and sprinkle with kosher salt. Steam, covered, over boiling water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
Whisk together vinegar and mustards. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking. Stir in shallot, 2 teaspoons tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.
Toss asparagus and celery leaves with half of vinaigrette and mound on 4 plates. Tuck quail eggs decoratively into salads. Drizzle salads and plates with remaining vinaigrette and sprinkle with remaining teaspoon tarragon.