Cooking for two

Sassy salad is fine for family, football fans

Potato and Chicken Salad With Salsa Verde
Potato and Chicken Salad With Salsa Verde

This can be an easy weeknight entree as well as tailgating menu item. Adding a fresh herb -- in this case, a mint sprig -- to the cooking water is a small step that makes a big difference.

The salsa verde can be refrigerated for up to one week.

Potato and Chicken Salad With Salsa Verde

For the salsa verde:

1 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 cup loosely packed mint leaves

1/2 cup loosely packed dill sprigs

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Freshly cracked black pepper

For the salad:

6 fingerling potatoes

1 sprig mint

Kosher salt

2 cooked chicken breast halves, cut into thick strips or shredded

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

2 ounces baby arugula leaves

For the salsa verde: Combine the parsley, mint, dill, oil, mustard, lemon juice and pepper in a food processor; pulse just until coarsely chopped.

For the salad: Combine the potatoes, the sprig of mint and a generous pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Add enough cool water to cover by at least 1 inch, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 15 minutes or until the potatoes are just tender enough to pierce with a sharp knife.

Drain; cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and return them to the (empty) saucepan over low heat, along with the chicken and capers. Toss to incorporate and cook just long enough to warm everything through. Turn off the heat.

Add the salsa verde to the saucepan and toss gently to coat.

Divide the arugula between plates. Top with the dressed salad. Serve right away.

Makes 2 servings.

Recipe adapted from No Time to Cook: Fresh and Easy Recipes for a Fast Forward World by Donna Hay (Hardie Grant, 2008)

Food on 09/24/2014

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