Best Raw Asparagus Salad With Breadcrumbs Walnuts And Mint Recipes

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RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH WALNUTS & PARMESAN



Raw Asparagus Salad with Walnuts & Parmesan image

From Joshua McFadden's Six Seasons, a favorite cookbook. Notes: Bread Crumbs: I love whizzing up stale bread in the food processor and toasting the crumbs in olive oil. If you're not up for this, panko bread crumbs would be fine. I would still toast them in olive oil before adding them to the salad. You also could omit the bread crumbs and add more walnuts in their place. Also: You only need 1/3 cup of toasted bread crumbs for this recipe, but I find it easier to make a large batch of crumbs than a small one. Save the remaining crumbs for other salads, soups, or eggs. They're irresistible!

Provided by Alexandra Stafford

Categories     Salad

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

a large hunk of bread, to yield 1.5 to 2 cups lightly packed fresh crumbs, see notes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup walnuts
1 lb. asparagus, tough bottoms trimmed
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt to taste, I use Maldon here
freshly cracked black pepper to taste
zest from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 to 2 lemons to yield 1/4 cup
1/4 cup lightly packed mint leaves, optional
1/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Place day-old bread in the food processor and whiz until fine. Measure out 1.5 to 2 cups of crumbs. Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the crumbs and the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crumbs are golden brown. This could take 5 to 15 minutes (or longer) depending on your heat level. If you have the time, go slowly to prevent burning. When the crumbs are nice and golden, turn off the heat. Let cool briefly. Taste. Add more salt if necessary. Measure out 1/3 cup of the crumbs - this is the amount the original recipe calls for. You can use more if you wish.
  • Place the walnuts in a medium skillet. Set the skillet over low heat. Allow the walnuts to toast slowly while you prepare the salad. Remove them from the heat when they smell and look toasty. You can chop them on a cutting board or by gently crushing them in a tea towel.
  • Using a sharp knife, slice the asparagus thinly on the bias.
  • In a large bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, the 1/3 cup (or more!) toasted bread crumbs, the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, the crushed red pepper flakes (starting with 1/4 teaspoon if you are sensitive to heat), salt and pepper to taste, and the zest of the lemon. Stir to combine. Add the asparagus and toss to combine. "Taste and dial in the flavors by adding more salt, black pepper, chile flakes, or lemon juice. When the flavors are bright and delicious, add the mint (if using) and 1/4 cup olive oil." Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the flavors again if necessary.
  • Transfer to a serving platter. Crack more pepper over top if you wish.

ASPARAGUS AND EGG SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND MINT



Asparagus and Egg Salad with Walnuts and Mint image

I found this asparagus egg salad recipe while I was hiding from a pot of brisket, which is the kind of thing that happens three days after Passover. That brisket was instantly relegated to a side dish. -Deb Perelman, smittenkitchen.com, New York, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 large eggs, cold
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil, preferably extra virgin

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, bring to a boil enough water to cover eggs by an inch. Gently lower in eggs and reduce heat to a simmer. Boil for 8-1/2 minutes, then quickly transfer eggs to an ice-cold water bath. Leave them there while you prepare the other ingredients, but ideally at least 10 minutes., Place Parmesan, walnuts, and lemon zest in the bottom of a large bowl, along with 1 teaspoon salt, many grinds of black pepper, and about 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir to combine., Cut the asparagus on a sharp angle into very thin slices and add to the Parmesan mixture. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice and toss some more. Taste and adjust the flavors to your preference by adding more salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, or lemon juice. Add mint and olive oil; toss, adjusting seasoning again., Peel eggs. Cut in half, then each half into 6 to 8 chunks. Add to bowl with asparagus and gently stir just to combine., Eat as is, or scoop onto 6 to 8 toasts or 3 large matzo sheets, halved into 6 more-manageable toasts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 349 calories, Fat 31g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 195mg cholesterol, Sodium 740mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

LEMONY ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH SHAVED CHEESE AND NUTS



Lemony Asparagus Salad With Shaved Cheese and Nuts image

Less is more when it comes to asparagus, especially those first tender stalks that show up in spring. Here they're quickly steamed and turned into an elegant salad tossed with a lemony, shallot dressing, and enriched with plenty of grated Manchego or other cheese. Chopped pistachios add another shade of green to the plate along with their sweet crunch, but use any nuts you like, or skip them entirely. This tangy, bright salad doesn't need them.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     vegetables, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup pistachios or other nuts
1 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons soft herbs, such as dill, parsley and tarragon, or a combination
3 tablespoons minced shallots, red onion or scallion
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or cider vinegar)
Large pinch of kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
3/4 cup coarsely grated cheese (1 1/2 ounces), preferably a young sheep's milk, such as pecorino or Manchego, but any firm cheese works, plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread pistachios in an even layer and toast for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle, then roughly chop.
  • Meanwhile, fill a large skillet with 1-inch water. Place steam basket on top, cover and bring to a simmer. Steam asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
  • Finely chop 3 tablespoons mixed soft herbs. In a medium bowl, combine shallot, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and the pepper, and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk in oil, then stir in pistachios, cheese and chopped herbs.
  • To serve, drizzle asparagus with oil and salt to taste. Dollop with dressing, tear remaining 1/2 cup herbs on top, and sprinkle generously with more cheese. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

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