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In Season Now: Asparagus

Thursday, April 11, 2013


from Cook's Magazine
artwork by Robert Papp


The weather is getting warmer, and asparagus is in season.  Why not prepare a salad that features asparagus while it's in season and less expensive?

Asparagus, Orange, and Lentil Salad


Ingredients

1 medium-size fennel bulb
2 large oranges, peeled and sliced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 pounds fresh asparagus
1 1/2 cups dried pink lentils, rinsed
Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette
2 cups coarsely chopped assorted lettuces
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Preparation

1. Rinse fennel thoroughly. Trim and discard root end of bulb. Trim stalks from bulb, and chop fronds to equal 1/4 cup; reserve stalks and remaining fronds for another use. Thinly slice bulb, and toss with oranges, pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cover and let stand until ready to use.
2. Meanwhile, cut asparagus tips into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Cut stalks diagonally into thin slices, discarding tough ends.
3. Bring 3 cups water and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain. Pat dry with paper towels.
4. Bring 3 cups water and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil in saucepan over medium heat. Add lentils; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well, and rinse with cold water. Toss lentils with 1/4 cup Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette.
5. Combine lettuces, parsley, asparagus, fennel mixture, and fennel fronds in a large bowl; toss with remaining vinaigrette. Spoon lentils onto a serving platter; top with asparagus mixture.

Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette


Ingredients

3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

Whisk together vinegar, shallots, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil until blended.



 photo 6e761dac-68a7-4bd7-b1db-ba111aba3850.jpg

Recipe from March, 2013 issue of Southern Living Magazine


Do you like asparagus?  Mr. Art @ Home loves it.  We enjoyed the salad, and the lentils were a nice touch in both taste and texture.

Linking to:


Thursday Favorite Things

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

16 comments

  1. Oh yum. I love asparagus and we have been eating a lot of lentils lately. Trying to eat more beans and less meat. So pretty too.

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  2. Do you know that before I moved to Belgium I never ate Asparagus. Now I love them! This salad sounds amazing

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  3. This is picture perfect! Love asparagus, but also am a fan of fennel. I'm filing this one to make for us in the near future. I'm not a big fan of lentils, but my husband is. I think he will like this salad.

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  4. Hi RJ, We love asparagus. This is a great recipe, one I will try. It looks delicious. I love this vinaigrette, I've made something similar and it’s delicious. I’ll try this exact recipe too. Thanks for sharing.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  5. YAY! I LOVE asparagus. It grows in the eastside of the state, and it's been a very very late year for it...we still don't have it in the farmer's markets. :(

    I love it steamed, covered in panko and baked, put in pasta, tossed with olive oil, I'll eat it any way that I can. :D
    I've never tried it with lentils, though....that's next on my list, as soon as we get those state-grown lovelies in! :)

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  6. We love asparagus, and your recipe sounds wonderful!

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  7. Yummy recipes to try, thanks for sharing Ricki Jill! Can you believe as a kid, I HATED asparagus? I've only discovered in recent years that is delicious... those changing & maturing taste buds of mine! ;)

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  8. Oh I LOVE asparagus and this recipe looks fantastic. I am pinning this one!!

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  9. Sounds good to me, Ricki Jill! I love asparagus but I am not supposed to eat it...thanks for tempting me- xo Diana

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  10. I am the only one at my house who likes asparagus...so can I come to your house?!?!

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  11. these sounds so good must try

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  12. Yep! They are in season and I will be buying some today. They are so good in soups, casseroles, or just steamed with salt and lemon. Thanks for sharing and I will try it!

    xxleslie

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  13. Those look great. It is funny, but all I ever do is steam asparagus. I need to branch out.

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  14. Ricki Jill~ This is such a delicious salad and the combination of flavors are perfect for spring! Great minds :))

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  15. Yum! I wish I would have seen this before I cooked all the asparagus on Sunday.

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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