Asparagus Shiitake Salad With Creamy Sesame Dressing Recipes

SHIITAKE SESAME SALAD DRESSING --A COPYCAT RECIPE

Steps:

• Put the mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak until the mushrooms are soft, 10 to 20 minutes. Toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet, stirring until they are golden in color. Remove from the heat so they don't burn.
• Drain the mushrooms, reserving 3 tablespoons of the soaking water. Trim and discard the stem; chop the mushrooms.
• In a blender jar, put the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, reserved soaking water, sesame oil, the chopped mushrooms and xanthan gum, if using. Whir about 10 seconds, just until the mushrooms are tiny pieces. Add the toasted sesame seeds and blend a few seconds more.
• Store in a glass jar, refrigerated.

SHIITAKE SALAD WITH SESAME-GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring mirin to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a small bowl; cool to room temperature. Whisk in the vinegar, soy sauce, shallot, ginger, lemon juice, chili sauce, pepper and oils; set aside., Place mushrooms in a small bowl; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Transfer to a grill wok or basket. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently., In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, onions, radishes, carrots and water chestnuts. Add half of vinaigrette; toss to coat. Divide among four plates; top salad with mushrooms. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH GINGER AND SESAME

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, stir together rice vinegar, ginger, garlic and brown sugar. Add jalapeño and sesame oil, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Snap or cut off the tough bottoms of each asparagus spear. With a vegetable peeler, peel each tough-skinned spear, starting halfway down from tip and peeling toward bottom end.
• Cut the asparagus at a long diagonal into very thin slices (not paper thin - about the width of a thinly sliced onion). Place asparagus slices in a wide salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss lightly. Add the ginger dressing and toss to coat well. Taste and adjust. Add scallions and lime juice and toss again.
• Garnish with mint leaves and cilantro sprigs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

ASPARAGUS-TOMATO SALAD WITH DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients; set aside. Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover; cook until crisp-tender. Drain and cool. , Combine asparagus, tomatoes and onion in a bowl. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large skillet of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Arrange on platter. Mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Asparagus and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) Spoon dressing over asparagus. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

ASIAN ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, cook the asparagus in a small amount of water until crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes. Drain well and place in a large bowl. , Combine the soy sauce, oil, vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger and cumin; pour over asparagus and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Drain before serving.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in a large skillet of boiling, salted water until just crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well.
• Pat dry with paper towels.
• Arrange on a platter.
• Mix sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Asparagus and sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) To serve, spoon dressing over asparagus, sprinkle with toasted sesame seed and serve.

LEMONY ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH SHAVED CHEESE AND NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread pistachios in an even layer and toast for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle, then roughly chop.
• Meanwhile, fill a large skillet with 1-inch water. Place steam basket on top, cover and bring to a simmer. Steam asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Finely chop 3 tablespoons mixed soft herbs. In a medium bowl, combine shallot, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and the pepper, and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk in oil, then stir in pistachios, cheese and chopped herbs.
• To serve, drizzle asparagus with oil and salt to taste. Dollop with dressing, tear remaining 1/2 cup herbs on top, and sprinkle generously with more cheese. Taste and adjust salt as needed.