Chilled Asparagus with Sesame Vinaigrette
Elevate your appetizer game with this vibrant Chilled Asparagus with Sesame Vinaigrette, a refreshingly light and flavorful dish perfect for warm weather or elegant gatherings. Tender-crisp asparagus is blanched to a radiant green, then quickly cooled in an ice bath to lock in its freshness. The star of the dish is the bold sesame vinaigrette, a harmonious blend of nutty sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, savory soy sauce, and a touch of honey for balance, enhanced with minced garlic for an aromatic kick. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a crunchy, earthy finish to this healthy and effortless recipe. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile side dish is a showstopper at any table and ideal for meal prep. Serve it cold for a crisp, refreshing burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with grilled proteins or Asian-inspired dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams asparagus
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 10 ice cubes
- 2 liters water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Fill a large pot with 2 liters of water and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
While waiting for the water to boil, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and water.
Trim the tough ends off the asparagus by bending each stalk gently until it snaps at its natural breaking point.
Once the water is boiling, add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the stalks are bright green and tender-crisp.
Immediately transfer the cooked asparagus to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let it sit in the ice bath for 5 minutes.
While the asparagus chills, prepare the sesame vinaigrette. Mince the garlic clove finely. In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and the minced garlic until well combined.
Drain the asparagus and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Arrange the asparagus on a serving plate.
Drizzle the sesame vinaigrette evenly over the chilled asparagus.
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant. Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the asparagus.
Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
110 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.6 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.3 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 654 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 3.3 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 84 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 278 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.
