Hello, beautiful souls! Today we're making a delightful little cold asparagus salad recipe that's pretty simple but so nourishing and so, so delicious.
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This comforting salad is layered with quinoa, avocado, goat cheese, and pistachios, all dressed up in a zesty lemon-maple vinaigrette. This vibrant dish isn’t just a feast for the eyes, it’s packed with ingredients that are chock full of chi and will keep you feeling your finest.
Asparagus is a treasure, rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, and B-vitamins. It's a fantastic source of antioxidants. Asparagus also supports digestion with its high fiber content. In Ayurveda, it's prized for its tridoshic nature, balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Quinoa is a nutritional gem, it's a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. It’s packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and B-vitamins. With a low glycemic index, it's excellent for blood sugar control. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free!
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Cold Asparagus Salad Ingredients
The earthy asparagus, creamy avocado, nutty quinoa, and zesty lemon-maple vinaigrette will leave you feeling balanced and nourished. It's a great way to use up leftover quinoa, and perfect for hot Summertime evenings.
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
- maple syrup
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- quinoa
- mixed greens
- asparagus
- avocado
- goat cheese
- pistachios (optional)
If you're looking for more delicious salad recipes- try our Fuji apple salad recipe, or our roasted balsamic veggie salad!
Falafel Over Rice Instructions
- Begin by whisking together the lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Let this vibrant vinaigrette sing to your senses!
- Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus into long, elegant ribbons. Place them in a bowl and pour about ¼ cup of the vinaigrette over them. Let the asparagus marinate for about 15 minutes, allowing them to soften and absorb the flavors.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the mixed greens with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
- In your serving dish, create a bed of quinoa as the base. Layer the marinated asparagus ribbons over the quinoa, followed by the tender greens. Finish off your creation with slices of creamy avocado, crumbles of goat cheese, and a large pinch of buttery pistachios.
- Serve with extra vinaigrette on the side.
When shaving the asparagus, hold it by the woody end and shave away from you. This gives you better control and makes it easier to create those beautiful ribbons.
Substitutions
- Quinoa: Substitute with bulgur wheat or couscous for a different texture.
- Goat Cheese: Feta cheese or fresh mozzarella can be used as an alternative.
- Pistachios: Almonds or walnuts can be used for a different crunch.
- Maple Syrup: Honey or agave nectar can be used as an alternative sweetener.
Variations
- Add slices of strawberry or pieces of mandarin oranges for a fruity twist.
- Toss in fresh herbs like basil or mint for some added depth.
- Top with grilled chicken or chickpeas for some extra protein.
Storage
Store - Keep any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
FAQ
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Recipe
Cold Shaved Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Print RecipeIngredients
Lemon-Maple Vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Cold Asparagus Salad
- 1 + ½ cup quinoa cooked
- 2 cup mixed greens
- 1 lb asparagus ends trimmed
- 1 avocado sliced or diced
- ¼ cup goat cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup pistachios roughly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper for the vinaigrette.
- Shave asparagus into ribbons and marinate in ¼ cup of vinaigrette for 15 minutes.
- Toss mixed greens in 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette.
- Layer quinoa, asparagus, greens, avocado slices, goat cheese, and pistachios in a serving dish.
- Serve with extra vinaigrette on the side.
Notes
- The vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Customize with your choice of nuts or cheese.
Nutrition
kitchenverve.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes on our site. This information is provided as a courtesy from online calculators and should be used only as an estimate. Although we attempt to provide the most accurate nutritional information possible, these figures will vary based on your chosen ingredients and cooking methods.
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