Cold Asparagus with Pecans
Brighten up your table with this refreshing Cold Asparagus with Pecans recipe, a delightful combination of vibrant, tender asparagus and the nutty crunch of toasted pecans. Perfectly blanched and chilled in an ice bath to preserve its crisp texture and rich green color, the asparagus is paired with a zesty homemade vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey for balanced sweetness. The final flourish of toasted pecans adds a delectable crunch, making this dish an elegant yet simple side or appetizer. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is ideal for spring gatherings, brunch spreads, or any time you crave a light, nutritious, and flavorful dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Asparagus
- 0.5 cup Pecans
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Honey
- 0.25 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 cups Ice
- 4 cups Water
Instructions
Fill a large mixing bowl with 4 cups of water and 2 cups of ice to create an ice bath. Set aside.
Trim the woody ends off 1 lb of asparagus and discard. Leave the spears whole.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the asparagus by cooking it in the boiling water for 2–3 minutes, or until it's bright green and tender but still crisp.
Immediately transfer the asparagus to the prepared ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve its vibrant color. Allow it to chill for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels.
Toast 0.5 cups of pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 0.25 tsp salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper, and 1 minced garlic clove to create the vinaigrette.
Arrange the chilled asparagus spears on a serving platter. Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the asparagus.
Roughly chop the toasted pecans and sprinkle them over the asparagus.
Serve immediately as a chilled side dish or appetizer.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
209 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.8 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.0 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 163 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.6 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 3.5 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 62 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 294 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.
