Hot potato, tuna and green bean salad with pesto sauce

4 servings

35 minutes

Hot salad of potatoes, tuna, and green beans with pesto sauce is a refined dish of Belgian cuisine that combines the tenderness of potatoes, the freshness of beans, and the rich flavor of tuna. Dressed with aromatic pesto sauce, it gains spiciness and brightness from Mediterranean notes. Historically, such warm salads were popular in European gastronomic traditions as hearty yet light dishes ideal for dinner. Crunchy nuts, sautéed leeks, and fresh spinach give the salad a unique texture. It is enjoyed as a standalone dish complemented by fragrant bread that highlights the complexity of flavors. A wonderful option for those who want to enjoy a balance of simplicity and elegance on their plate.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 276.4
• Proteins: 13.2g
• Fats: 16.2g
• Carbohydrates: 20.4g

Ingredients

• New potatoes: 0.5 kg
• Canned tuna in its own juice: 1 jar
• Cherry tomatoes: 8 pc
• Spinach: 100 g
• Green beans: 100 g
• Nuts: to taste
• Sea salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Butter: 1 tsp
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Pesto: 1 tbsp
• Leek: 1 stem

Cooking steps

1. Cut the potatoes into large pieces and boil until soft for 8-10 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • New potatoes: 0.5 kg

2. In the meantime, make the salad dressing - mix pesto with olive oil. Cut the tomatoes in half, drain the tuna juice, and break the fish flesh into pieces.

   Required ingredients:

   • Pesto: 1 tablespoon
   • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
   • Cherry tomatoes: 8 pieces
   • Canned tuna in its own juice: 1 jar

3. Roast the nuts in a dry pan (any kind can be used, but I used cashews, pistachios, and pine nuts).

   Required ingredients:

   • Nuts:  to taste

4. Three minutes before the potatoes are ready, add green beans to the pot.

   Required ingredients:

   • Green beans: 100 g

5. Sauté the sliced leek in olive oil.

   Required ingredients:

   • Leek: 1 stem
   • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons

6. Drain the water from the vegetables and add them to the onion, add a little butter and sauté the vegetables.

   Required ingredients:

   • New potatoes: 0.5 kg
   • Green beans: 100 g
   • Leek: 1 stem
   • Butter: 1 teaspoon

7. Transfer the prepared vegetables to a salad bowl. Add spinach, roasted nuts, and mix to warm it slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes and tuna, drizzle with dressing, and gently mix.

   Required ingredients:

   • Spinach: 100 g
   • Nuts:  to taste
   • Sea salt:  to taste
   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Cherry tomatoes: 8 pieces
   • Canned tuna in its own juice: 1 jar
   • Pesto: 1 tablespoon

8. Add a little parmesan on top to taste. Serve with aromatic bread.

   Required ingredients:

   • Nuts:  to taste