Last night the temperature dropped and we now have colder, normal Canadian weather with us once again.
I’ve just finished bringing in the evening’s firewood from the garage. I’ll be making dinner in the fireplace over cherry wood with some Keftedes, Macedonian Sausages, roasted red peppers, tomato slices, feta cheese and some crusty bread.
The spread’s gonna be meat-heavy so, I was thinking of how to balance out the meal with some more vegetables.
I had some asparagus in the fridge that had to be cooked before it got thrown away. I found this recipe for Balsamic Asparagus Salad at www.recipezaar.com and I just finished dressing the salad. It’s simply delicious!
I omitted the sliced mushrooms and cheese, this salad is just fine as I’m presenting it to you today.
Balsamic Asparagus Salad
2 bunches of thin asparagus
2 tsp. of fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. of balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. of Dijon mustard
1 large clove of garlic,
6 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of loosely packed chopped basil
(I used 1/4 cup frozen basil)
salt and pepper to taste
- Trim the asparagus from the fibrous, woody ends (discard) and cut into 1 inch pieces.
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Add a good amount of salt and blanch the asparagus for about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour the asparagus into a strainer and run cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the water to drain for about 5 minutes.
- In a salad bowl, add the garlic, vinegar, mustardand lemon juice and some salt and pepper and mix well. While whisking, pour in the olive oil until your dressing is emulsified.
- Add your asparagus and basil to the bowl and toss to coat the asparagus with the dressing.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve cool or at room temperature.
Looks like a very refreshing compliment to a meaty winter dinner!
Hi thanks for the comment … I live about three blocks from that shot. I was going to comment back on your blog but it’s not loading for some reason.
I’ve never been to Toronto but have lived in Greece and coming from the Middle East and being Armenian our foods are very similar so I’ll def. will visit your blog again.
Finally loaded up so I figured I’d comment instead of the email.
yum, this looks delicious! i love asparagus, and i especially love it with balsamic!
Quick and easy, plus full of flavor — an excellent salad. Kudos!
Looks delicious Peter, I have to go to the farmers’ market tomorrow and see if I can find asparagus.
Que bueno, Peter! I love green asparagus… but here they are just too expensive now, I’ll wait until spring, if I can resist all asparagus temptations you post!!!
Have a great day!
Wow Peter! I hope we can see pictures of all the meat too! Your fireside dinner sounds JUST WONDERFUL!!! Do you have any leftovers? I could get a plane ticket really quick! ;)
You know I am not a huge fan of asparagus. I like it okay, but it is not something I love, you know what I mean? But I would definately eat this!
Oh, Peter… This dish has my name written all over it, I love asparagus so much!
hey peter, got your email and kalyn’s too:) will wait for another delicious veg entry from your side:)
These greens look awesome too! I might just skip the Fijon mustard…never developed a taste for it!!:)
Dinner in the fireplace!! I hope you do a post on that too Peter, sounds wonderfully rustic!!The asparagus will definately be a great addition!
Your salads are always fabulous I don’t know how I choose to made. Love it
Oh my gosh, your dinner in a fireplace sounds wonderful!! Will you marry me? I mean I know I’m married all ready, but I don’t care. Really.
Yumptious! I make one similar, but have never tried the basil in it, but I will next time! I bet the basil really puts a nice fresh touch to it!
My friend Lisa says it is -14 there just now. We haven’t quite reached that yet, we are not going mcuh lower than -1. But do not get me on to weather, it is a national obsession!
Now, I have to say I love asparagus and balsamic, but I haven’t tried them together, so thanks for the idea.
Nice pics!
Even though my toes are frozen, the asparagus appeals! (must be all the chocolate ;-P) Keep warm! Snow is coming and we might survive this cold spell!
Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables and I am always on the lookout for tasty new ways of enjoying it. This salad sounds great! Bookmarked.
Yummo! Going to make this when asparagus is in season again.
Nice recipe. I like the use of dijon mustard. I love mustard.
You have a very interesting site with lovely recipes
Archana
http://www.archanaskitchen.com/
I just gave this a try last night with my Easter dinner and it was great! I was a little concerned once I realized I didn’t have quite enough asparagus for all the dressing, but it wasn’t a problem at all. Excellent flavors!