Brighten up your table with this Fresh Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, a vibrant and healthy dish perfect for any occasion. This salad combines crisp, tender asparagus, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty red onions tossed with creamy feta cheese and nutty toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch. The star is the homemade lemon vinaigrette, a tangy blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, bringing the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness to every bite. Quick and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes, this salad is a refreshing side dish packed with bold, garden-fresh flavors. Ideal for spring and summer, itβs a must-try recipe for lovers of seasonal, vegetable-forward cuisine.
Begin by preparing the asparagus. Snap off and discard the woody ends of the asparagus stalks. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice water.
Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes until bright green and just tender.
Immediately transfer the asparagus to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. After a few minutes, drain and set aside.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
In a large salad bowl, combine the drained asparagus, cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, and feta cheese.
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top before serving.
Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish.
Calories |
970 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 83.4 g | 107% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.7 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 2173 mg | 94% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.0 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.9 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.8 g | ||
| Protein | 27.7 g | 55% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 521 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 13.0 mg | 72% | |
| Potassium | 1655 mg | 35% | |
*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.