Labor Day Pesto Chicken Potato Salad Food

PESTO CHICKEN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. To a large saucepan, add potatoes and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a simmer; cook just until tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Let cool. 2. Return same saucepan of water to a boil. Add beans and cook until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl of ice water to chill; drain and pat dry. Set aside. 3. Meanwhile, prepare pesto: To a mini food processor, add walnuts, pine nuts and garlic; pulse to finely chop. Add basil, salt and pepper; pulse to combine. With motor running, gradually add oil through feed tube; blend until smooth. Add cheese; pulse to combine. 4. To bowl with potatoes, add beans, chicken, tomatoes and pesto; toss gently to coat. Refrigerate in airtight containers up to 2 days. Tip: To poach chicken, bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add chicken. As soon as water starts bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a slow simmer. Cook until no longer pink and an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F when tested in thickest part, 10 to 12 minutes.

PESTO POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 20 minutes, or until they are cooked though, but the skins remain intact. Set them aside until they are cool enough to handle. Quarter the potatoes and put them in a large bowl. Add the peppers and the pesto and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and chill.
• Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over a medium heat until fragrant and golden brown, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. In a food processor, process the pine nuts and the garlic until minced. Add the basil, Parmesan cheese and lemon juice and process until finely minced. With processor on, slowly pour the oil down the food chute. Process until well blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

PESTO-CHICKEN-POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In 3 1/2 QT saucepan, combine potatoes and enough water to cover potatoes by 1 inch.
• Bring to a boil, over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.
• Drain, cool 15 minutes or until slightly cooled.
• Meanwhile, in large serving bowl, combine pesto, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and salt; mix well.
• Add cooked potatoes and all remaining ingredients except lettuce to pesto mixture; toss gently until evenly coated.
• Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight to blend flavours.
• If desired, serve salad on lettuce lined plates.

PESTO CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Put the couscous in a large heatproof bowl and cover with 100ml boiling water. Stir in 1 tbsp pesto. Cover and leave for 8 mins.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork, then stir in the rest of the pesto, the yogurt and some seasoning. Toss in the chicken, basil, cucumber and tomatoes.
• Spoon the couscous mix into the lettuce leaves and eat with your fingers, or serve over the lettuce like a salad. Scatter over the pine nuts and more basil before serving.