Haricot Vert Salad with Quail Eggs and Shrimp

Bring a medium saucepan of water to a simmer and add the white wine vinegar. Add the quail eggs and simmer over moderate heat until hard-cooked, about 7 minutes. Drain the eggs and crack the shells against the side of the pan. Fill the pan with cold water and let stand until the eggs are cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the 6 cups of water with the lemon zest, cracked pepper, bay leaves, fennel seeds, star anise and 1 teaspoon of salt. Simmer the court bouillon (seasoned water) for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer just until cooked, about 2 minutes. Drain the shrimp in a colander; let cool. Pick out and discard any bits of seasoning.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the haricots verts until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain well and spread the beans out on a baking sheet to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk the sherry vinegar with the mustard. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Peel the quail eggs and halve them lengthwise. In a large bowl, toss the arugula with 1 tablespoon of the dressing and spread on a platter. In the same bowl, gently toss the haricots verts with the shallots, quail eggs and all but 1 tablespoon of the remaining dressing. Mound the haricot vert salad on the arugula. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of dressing. Top the haricots verts with the shrimp and serve.