Potato Salad With Pesto And Asparagus Food

ASPARAGUS PESTO WITH TINY POTATOES AND PASTA

Steps:

• Pesto:
• Cut the cooked asparagus spears into thirds. Put in a food processor with the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Keep in mind you will add Parmesan as well, so be careful not to oversalt. With the machine running, slowly add the cup of olive oil. When the sauce is about the consistency of mayonnaise, it has enough oil. Pulse in the Parmesan. Thin with water if necessary to achieve a slick, saucy pesto. Scrape into a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until needed. You should have about 3 cups. (Keeps about 2 to 3 days, refrigerated.)
• Put the potatoes in a pan of salted cold water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool for a few minutes. If the potatoes are larger than about 1/2 inch in diameter, cut in half.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the potatoes and cook until browned and crispy all over, about 5 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Keep warm. Add basil, toss with potatoes and set aside.
• While the potatoes are browning, return the water used for cooking the asparagus, if reserved, to a boil or brint a new pot of water to a boil. Add more salt and the pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain through a colander, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Pour the pasta into a warm serving bowl, add the potatoes, about 1 cup of the asparagus pesto, several twists of pepper, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Toss well, thinning with the pasta cooking water as necessary.
• Dust with a light grating of Parmesan (a microplane grater works well for this) before serving and pass the remaining cheese and a bowl of pesto at the table.

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.

POTATO SALAD WITH PESTO AND BACON

Steps:

• For this recipe, use the tiniest new potatoes you can find; I used fresh baby potatoes from a farmers' market that were about the size of marbles. My potatoes were leftovers, so they were already boiled, but feel free to cook potatoes if needed; it will take longer to make this recipe though.
• In a mixing bowl, place the potatoes, onions, bacon and chives; lightly toss together.
• In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayo and pesto; feel free to add more pesto if you wish.
• Add pesto mixture to potatoes and combine; taste. It will need salt and pepper.
• Chill for at least one hour before serving to let the flavours blend; taste before serving as it may need more salt. If desired, sprinkle parmesan over top of salad before serving; it's not necessary but it adds another flavour element to the salad that I felt went well.
• This recipe would easily double, if not triple.

SALAMI ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring 1 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Drain and immediately place in ice water. Drain and pat dry. , In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, red pepper, onion, salami and feta cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Pour over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. , Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon.

FABULOUS PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Add the tomatoes, green onions and olives to the bowl, and stir to coat. Refrigerate.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to the bowl of dressing, and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

SALMON VEGETABLE SALAD WITH PESTO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 10-12 minutes or until tender, adding asparagus during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain; rinse with cold water. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper., Meanwhile, place salmon in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper. Bake 14-16 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork. Break salmon into chunks; cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine potato mixture, salmon and tomatoes. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar and pesto until blended. In a large serving bowl, combine salad greens, green onions and half of the dressing; toss to coat. Top with potato mixture. Serve immediately with remaining dressing.

POTATO SALAD WITH MINT AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cover potatoes with cold salted water in a 3-quart saucepan, then simmer, covered, until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• While potatoes are cooking, whisk together vinegar, shallot, salt, and pepper in a large serving bowl.
• Drain potatoes and halve or quarter if desired. Add to vinegar mixture while warm and toss to coat. Add oil, peas, and mint and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm or at room temperature.

POTATO SALAD WITH PESTO AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cook potatoes, in a small amount of boiling, salted water for 8 minutes (covered).
• Add the asparagus and carrot; cook for 4 to 8 minutes more until potatoes are just tender and the other veggies are crisp-tender.
• Drain.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the pesto and mayo.
• Add the potatoes, asparagus, carrot, green onion, olives, and pepper.
• Stir until well mixed.
• Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or up to 24.
• Just before serving, stir in a couple tablespoons of milk to moisten, if neeeded.
• Sprinkle with cheese.