Green Beans & Potatoes with Arugula Pesto

Here is a really delicious side dish that is quick and easy. It would make a great addition to any meal or a great dish to bring to a potluck. 

 I came across a recipe that inspired this one in a cook book that I got for Christmas, Herbivoracious. This cook book is awesome. It has really amazing vegetarian recipes and most importantly it has lots of great photos. 

I changed up the arugula pesto recipe but kept the basic beans and potatoes the same. I thought about throwing in some cherry tomatoes but they are not in season. Another goody you can add would be raw onion or scallions but I didn't have any of those laying around either, so get creative and toss in just about anything!

Ingredients
1/2 lb yellow fin potatoes, scrubbed 
4 cups of fresh green beans, rinsed and ends trimmed

Arugula Pesto
3 packed cups of arugula
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup olive oil
2 large garlic clove
juice from 1 lemon

Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way full with water and bring to a boil. Place the potatoes in the pot and boil for 10 minutes. While the potatoes are boiling make the pesto by adding all of the pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until everything is mixed well.

Next add the green beans in with the potatoes and boil for 5 minutes. Strain the veggies and shake off as much excess water as you can. Place the veggies in a bowl and toss with the pesto 1/4 cup at a time.

*The pesto recipe above makes a little more than you need for this recipe so set some aside for a yummy white fish or something else delicious. Stay tuned for a recipe using arugula pesto and polenta.