After a weekend of overindulgence, I had a hankering for something fresh from the ground! This simple, yet complex salad of asparagus, cucumber, and scallions with a zippy Dijon dressing quickly satiated my craving. The dressing, asparagus, and green onions can actually be prepared a day in advance provided they are stored separately. The finished salad is not only refreshing but also, a hearty side dish that could easily be a meal for two. To get started on your own lettuce-free, green salad, read more.
Adapted from Bon Appétit
Ingredients
Dressing
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad
2 pounds medium asparagus, trimmed
2 cups thinly sliced green onions
2 cups 1/4-inch cubes peeled seeded Kirby or English hothouse cucumbers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
- For dressing: Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil.

- For salad: Fill large bowl with lightly salted ice water; stir until salt dissolves. Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 cups cooking liquid.

- Transfer asparagus to bowl of salted ice water to cool.*

- Place green onions in another large bowl; pour hot reserved asparagus cooking liquid over onions and let stand until cool, about 30 minutes. Drain asparagus and green onions well. Transfer onions to clean kitchen towel and squeeze dry.*

- Combine green onions, cucumbers, and herbs in mixing bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

- Arrange asparagus on platter. Spoon cucumber mixture over and serve.

Serves 6-8.
*Can be a made a day in advance. To store the asparagus and green onions wrap in several layers of dry paper towels and place each in a sealable plastic bag. Refrigerator.
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9monate
Michael Kors
Celine
I will be making this for sure.
1What's that tool being used to blend the dressing?
This looks really refreshing.
2Wren, it is an aerolatte! It is super handy for salad dressings and it's original intention making frothy milk for coffee!
3It looks nice, but not at ALL in season.
4wow!! what a great salad! i love everything in this salad and the combo with the dressing sounds scrumptious. and your aerolatte is so cool! what kinds of things do you use your aerolatte for besides whisking dressings? can you use it to make whipped cream?
5Thanks, Yum!
6I would eat it if it didn't have the scallions on it. Love asparagus and cucumbers though.
7That looks awesome. Planning my menu for the week, I was also looking to be healthy, healthy, healthy to make up for Sunday's embarrassing gorge.
8Wow--this looks fabulous!
9Hmmm too much green for me...pass.
10that really is a GREEN salad - and one that i'd like to try making some time.
thanks
for sharing this one
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