This simple yet stunning arugula salad with roasted asparagus ribbons and lemon vinaigrette is a year round favorite. A little French flair, a lot of flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Course French Salad, lunch or dinner, Salad, Salad Dressing/Vinaigrettes
Cuisine French
Servings 4people
Equipment
Vegetable peeler (for shaving asparagus and parmesan)
Sheet pan
mixing bowls
Chef’s knife
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
16spears asparagusthickly stalked
1tablespoonolive oilextra virgin
½teaspoonsalt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
6cupsarugula
3-4tablespoonlemon dressing(recipe below)
¼cupparmesangrated
Lemon Dressing
⅓cuplemon juicefresh
⅓cupwhite balsamic vinegar
2teaspoonhoney or maple syrup
1teaspoonsalt
1cupolive oilextra-virgin
A little of your favorite herbsthyme, basil, marjoram, rosemary, parsley. Start small as you can always add more.
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Instructions
Making The Salad
Preheat the oven to Moderately Hot 400°F/200°C/Gas 6.
Wash the produce and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
Prep the asparagus first: Using a vegetable peeler, shave each asparagus stalk into long ribbons. The thick woody ends may not peel, simply cut them off. (Save for soup stalk by placing in a sealed bag and freezing.)
Place asparagus in a bowl (or on a parchment lined baking sheet) toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Then lay strips on lined baking sheet.
Roast for 6-8 minutes on middle rack of the oven. Keep a close eye on them so they do not brown too much, then remove from oven and let them cool before adding to arugula.
Place washed and dried arugula in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of lemon dressing and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently with your hands to prevent bruising the delicate greens. (Tongs can also be used if you prefer.)
Once the asparagus is cool add it to the arugula with another tablespoon of the dressing and toss lightly.
Grate the Parmesan over the top of the salad and you are ready to serve. Pass the pepper grinder.
Making The Dressing/Vinaigrette
In a bowl large enough to hold 21/2 - 3 cups add the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, honey and salt.
Whisk until salt dissolves before adding oil as salt will not combine with oil.
Then add any additional herbs and stir.
NOTE: The lemon vinaigrette will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for at least 2-3 weeks. Whisk well to combine ingredients as they will separate over time.
Notes
Chill your salad bowl before tossing for extra crispness.
Use a microplane for ultra-fine Parmesan shavings.
Shaving asparagus: Lay it flat and peel away from your body for long ribbons.
It's gluten-free and vegan.
It's easily adaptable to all four seasons.
It's an excellent side dish to meat dishes, egg recipes, pizza-type dishes, and so many more.
Option: Instead of herbs, use 2 cloves of garlic smashed grated, or pressed, or a finely chopped shallot, and 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.