Asparagus Confetti Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large pot boil the asparagus for 3-5 minutes. Rinse in cold water.
• In a large bowl combine spinach, radish, cherry tomatoes, peas, onion, and feta cheese.
• In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad and mix together.

SAUTEED CONFETTI ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat ½ Cup of the Dressing in Large Nonstick Skillet.
• Add Peppers and Onion.
• Cook and Stir on Medium-High Heat 3 to 5 Minutes or Until Tender.
• Add Asparagus to skillet.
• Pour Remaining ¼ Cup Dressing Evenly Over Asparagus and Cover.
• Reduce Heat to Medium-Low and Cook 5-7 Minutes or Until Asparagus are Tender.
• Spoon onto Serving Platter and Sprinkle with Cheese.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.

ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH SWEET PEPPER CONFETTI

Steps:

• In a small screw-top jar or plastic container with tight fitting lid, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine and set dressing mixture aside.
• Using a medium pot over high heat bring lightly salted water to a rapid boil. Add asparagus to the boiling water and cook until it is tender but firm.
• Drain asparagus and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water. After 5 minutes remove the asparagus, drain again, and pat dry.
• Place asparagus on a platter with tips facing in the same direction and fanned out. Drizzle the dressing over the asparagus and sprinkle with the diced peppers.
• To serve this warm, drain the asparagus after cooking and lay it immediately on the platter, do not plunge in ice water bath.

ASPARAGUS & COURGETTE SALAD WITH FETA & SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat a small frying pan and add the sesame seeds. Cook, shaking the pan and making sure the seeds don't burn. When they are fragrant and have turned a light teak colour, tip them onto a saucer.
• Steam the asparagus for 3-4 mins until almost done. Drop into a bowl of iced water to cool, then drain and wrap in a tea towel to dry really well. Cook the peas for 3 mins in the boiling water used to steam the asparagus, then drain and cool under a cold tap. Slice the courgettes on the diagonal, about 0.5cm thick.
• Heat a griddle pan until very hot. Brush the asparagus and courgette slices with the oil, and cook in batches until nicely striped with dark brown. Cut the asparagus into 5cm lengths.
• Mix the asparagus, courgettes, peas, rocket, feta and lemon zest. Grind over some black pepper and sprinkle with the sesame seeds before serving.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover; cook until crisp-tender. Drain and cool. In a large bowl, combine asparagus with the remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

WARM ROAST ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6/fan 180C. Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus and discard. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in a baking tray with sides. Cut the tomatoes in half widthways, nestle them in with the asparagus, season with sea salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roll each bacon rasher into a tight roll (if large, first cut in half crosswise), and arrange in the tray. Drizzle the bacon rolls with the honey and bake for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the bacon is crisp.
• In the meantime, boil the potatoes until tender. Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, some sea salt and pepper in a large bowl until blended. Toss the rocket or spinach leaves in half of the dressing, and arrange on a large serving platter.
• Drain the potatoes and cut in half. Gently toss them in the rest of the dressing, and arrange on the platter with the asparagus. Tuck in the tomatoes and bacon.