Warm Potato Salad Primavera

A pesto made with spinach and arugula dresses this salad instead of mayonnaise.

Yield:

Serves 8

Ingredients

1. For the Pesto
2. =================
3. 1 1/2 cups packed baby arugula
4. 3/4 cup packed baby spinach
5. 3/4 cup packed fresh basil
6. 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
7. 1/4 cup toasted walnut pieces
8. 2 tsp. lemon juice
9. 3 Tbs. olive oil
10. .
11. For the Potato Salad
12. ====================
13. 1 1/2 lb. red new potatoes, halved
14. 3/4 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed (3 cups)
15. 2 tsp. olive oil
16. 1/2 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced (2 cups)
17. 1 large shallot, thinly sliced (1/3 cup)
18. 3 Tbs. diced sun-dried tomatoes
19. 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
20. .
21. 3/4 cup quartered cherry tomatoes

Directions

1. To make Pesto: Purée 1 cup arugula, 1/2 cup spinach, basil, garlic, and walnut pieces in food processor until smooth. Add remaining arugula and spinach, and pulse until smooth. With machine running, pour in lemon juice and oil, and blend until combined. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
2. To make Potato Salad: Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes. Add green beans, and cook 5 minutes more. Drain, and transfer to bowl. Cover to keep warm.
3. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté fennel and shallot in oil 10 minutes, or until browned. Add sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes more.
4. Toss Pesto and fennel mixture with potatoes and green beans. Garnish with tomatoes, and serve.

Notes