**Unveil the Delightful Molded Asparagus Salad: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures**
Prepare to embark on a culinary journey with our enticing Molded Asparagus Salad, an extraordinary dish that captivates taste buds and ignites the senses. This delectable salad showcases the vibrant flavors of asparagus, harmoniously blended with a medley of fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. Discover the art of molding this salad into an elegant centerpiece, adorned with colorful hard-boiled eggs and vibrant pimentos, transforming it into a visually stunning dish that will elevate any occasion. Our collection of recipes offers variations to suit every palate, from the classic mayonnaise-based dressing to lighter vinaigrette options, ensuring that everyone can savor this culinary masterpiece.
CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD
I like to use a kitchen scissor to cut only the very bottom from the stalk; breaking it off causes more of the bottom to go to waste, which is otherwise perfectly edible. With the smaller, thinner "pencil" asparagus, the stalks are too thin to peel and you need that protective layer so the asparagus keep their shape during cooking. For larger asparagus, where the skin is tougher, I do peel the stalk but leave the tip and an inch or so below the tip, unpeeled. The top is tender enough that it can be cooked as is.
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
- The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
- In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
- When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.
WARM ASPARAGUS SALAD
Provided by Kardea Brown
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water.
- Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water. Once cooled, drain and pat dry and add to a medium bowl.
- Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the walnuts and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour mixture over the asparagus and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, transfer asparagus to a platter and scatter Parmesan on top. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve immediately.
ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE
This fresh asparagus salad is one of my favorites and I can't wait to show you how to make it. With lemon vinaigrette dressing drizzled on top this salad has a light and flavorful crisp crunch in every bite.
Provided by Alyssa Rivers
Categories Dinner Main Course Salad Side Dish
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large pot boil the asparagus for 3-5 minutes. Rinse in cold water.
- In a large bowl combine spinach, radish, cherry tomatoes, peas, onion, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad and mix together.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, Sodium 67 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SHAVED ASPARAGUS AND RADISH SALAD
An easy salad to put together, this is a celebration of the first asparagus of the season, which is sweet enough to eat raw. Omit the anchovy in the dressing if you wish, but it's there to provide a boost of flavor, not to taste fishy. Any type of radish will work but, for a really vibrant salad, look for the many colorful varieties of daikon radish available at many farmers' markets.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, side dish
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and anchovy. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
- Snap off and discard the tough end of each asparagus spear. Using a sharp knife, slice asparagus lengthwise into ribbons. For skinny asparagus, just halve lengthwise.
- Place sliced asparagus in a large salad bowl. Toss with salt and pepper, then add the dressing and toss to coat.
- For each serving, place a handful of dressed asparagus on a plate. Surround with slices of colorful radish, and tuck a few more slices among the asparagus ribbons. Sprinkle radishes lightly with salt.
Tips:
- Choose fresh, tender asparagus. Look for spears that are bright green and have tight, closed tips.
- Trim the asparagus spears. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tough, woody ends of the asparagus spears.
- Blanch the asparagus spears. This will help to preserve their color and crispness. To blanch the asparagus, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus spears and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. Remove the asparagus spears from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Make the dressing. The dressing for this salad is simple but flavorful. It is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad. To assemble the salad, combine the blanched asparagus spears, hard-boiled eggs, chopped celery, chopped onion, and chopped parsley in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well to combine.
- Chill the salad before serving. This will help to allow the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Molded asparagus salad is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you like it simple or with a variety of toppings, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table.
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