Chilled Asparagus with Pecans
Bright, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this Chilled Asparagus with Pecans recipe offers the perfect balance of crisp-tender asparagus, sweet honey-Dijon dressing, and nutty toasted pecans. By blanching the asparagus, its vibrant green color and delicate crunch are preserved, while an ice bath ensures a refreshing chill. The quick-to-prepare dressing, infused with zesty lemon juice, creates a lively contrast to the buttery pecans. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile dish is perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or light snack. Whether served immediately or prepared ahead, this recipe is a must-try for spring and summer dining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- 0.5 cup pecans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 6 cups water
Instructions
Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of water and 2 cups of ice cubes to create an ice bath. Set aside.
Trim the tough ends off the asparagus and discard. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus.
Blanch the asparagus by boiling for 2 to 3 minutes until tender yet crisp and bright green. Immediately transfer the asparagus to the prepared ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let it chill for 2 minutes.
While the asparagus is chilling, toast the pecans. Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat, add the pecans, and toast for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Drain the asparagus and pat dry with a paper towel. Arrange the asparagus on a serving platter.
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the chilled asparagus. Sprinkle the toasted pecans on top.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
177 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.1 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.9 g | 9% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 153 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.0 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.3 g | ||
| Protein | 3.7 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 73 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 287 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
