This spring salad is packed with nutrition and flavor from crispy green vegetables, shaved asparagus, fennel, sweet peas, herbs, and a simple shallot vinaigrette dressing and topped with toasted pistachios and dried cherries.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
How Many Servings?
4 servings
This Fresh Shaved Asparagus Salad with Herbs and Pistachios is a delightful and healthy spring salad. It combines crispy green veggies, shaved asparagus, thinly sliced fennel, and blanched sweet peas. Drizzle it with a simple shallot vinaigrette dressing and garnish with toasted pistachios and dried cherries for flavor and texture. A newfound favorite, this salad pairs a tangy vinaigrette with fresh, crunchy veggies and a delightful nutty crunch from the pistachios. It’s a perfect addition to a family BBQ or a relaxing poolside afternoon. Grab your fork and savor the goodness!
Ingredient in the Shaved Asparagus Salad:
- Asparagus Spears (Shaved): Delicately sliced for a tender bite, offering a fresh and crisp essence.
- Fennel (Sliced Thinly): Provides a mildly sweet, licorice-like taste with a crisp, refreshing crunch.
- Sweet Peas (Blanched and Pat Dry): Offers vibrant sweetness and tenderness, providing a satisfying pop in each bite.
- Fresh Chopped Mint: Adds a refreshing and aromatic quality to the dish, enhancing its liveliness.
- Toasted Pistachio: Provides a rich, nutty taste and a satisfying crunch, adding depth to the salad.
- Dry Cherries: Offers a sweet-tart burst of flavor with a chewy texture, complementing the dish.
Salad Dressing:
- Shallot (Chopped Small): Infuses a mild onion flavor that seamlessly blends into the dressing.
- Zest of 1 Lime Plus Its Juice: Brings a zesty, citrusy taste that contributes brightness to the dressing.
- Olive Oil: Creates a smooth, fruity richness that coats the ingredients seamlessly.
- Honey: Balances the dressing with a touch of sweetness and contributes a smooth texture.
- Salt and Pepper: Fine-tune the overall flavors, ensuring a perfect savory balance to the dish.
How to Prepare Shaved Asparagus for Your Salad
- Blanching Asparagus: To ensure the best taste and texture for your asparagus in the salad, consider blanching or lightly cooking it. Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Add the asparagus spears and let them cook for about 30 seconds. To halt the cooking process, promptly transfer them to an ice bath. Once the blanched asparagus has cooled down, gently pat them dry with paper towels.
- Shaving Asparagus: Start by trimming about an inch and a half from each spear’s bottom. Hold one end and use a peeler to create thin ribbons. Now that your asparagus is blanched and shaved, it’s time to assemble a delightful Shaved Asparagus Salad. Combine it with other fresh ingredients, drizzle on a simple shallot vinaigrette dressing, and sprinkle toasted pistachios, sweet peas, and dried cherries.
Enhance Your Spring Salad
Consider adding grilled chicken, beef, shrimp, or boiled eggs to transform this salad into a satisfying light meal. These protein-rich options will elevate the salad’s filling factor.
Expand your palate and elevate your dining experience with a variety of vibrant and refreshing options. These alternatives promise to captivate your taste buds, all while nurturing your health and vitality. Delve into refreshing alternatives like our superfood salad with kale and micro greens, a Mediterranean Greek salad, or our Mediterranean black bean salad with pomegranate molasses, ideal for warm summer days.
Preparation
Combine the shaved asparagus, sliced fennel, sweet peas, chopped mint, and chopped dill in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the salad dressing ingredients.
Top the salad with the toasted pistachios and dried cherries.
Serve and enjoy!
This refreshing shaved asparagus salad is the perfect low-carb dish for any summer occasion. Packed with nutritious vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette dressing, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
How Many Servings?
4 servings
Ingredients:
| 20 asparagus spears blanched and shaved) | |
| 1 head fennel thinly sliced | |
| 1 cup sweet peas blanched and pat dry | |
| ¼ cup fresh chopped mint | |
| ¼ cup fresh chopped dill | |
| 2 oz toasted pistachio | |
| 2 oz dry cherries |
For the salad dressing
| 1 small shallot (chopped small) | |
| Zest of 1limes plus its juice | |
| 1/4 cup olive oil | |
| 1 teaspoon honey | |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
Preparation
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Different ways to use shaved asparagus:
To keep asparagus fresh:
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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