Spring Green Salad With Asparagus, Apples, and Pecans

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

‘Tis the season for asparagus, and this spring salad also includes Granny Smith apples and toasted pecans for extra green and crunch. It makes a delighful lunch or brunch at home, and it’s perfect for a picnic.

This year’s local produce is arriving at last, and I was very excited to pick up some first-of-the-season French radishes, spinach, and asparagus at NYC’s Union Square Greenmarket. (And last year’s watermelon radishes. Because watermelon radishes).

This salad is simple, quick, and flavorful, and doesn’t require much of a recipe. Nonetheless, I’ve jotted down a few instructions to guide you, if needed, or just use it as inspiration: adjust, add, delete, whatever. Just make it!

Spring Asparagus Salad

Ingredients

Bunch or two of asparagus, washed and trimmed
1-2 green apples, unpeeled, sliced, and rubbed with fresh lemon juice
Handful of pecans, toasted

Instructions
Heat oven to 475 degrees F. Scatter nuts on a baking sheet immediately, while the oven is pre-heating, and they should be nice and toasty in about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Wash and trim the asparagus and roast. While the asparagus is in the oven, thinly slice the apples and rub them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning. Next, whisk together a simple vinaigrette, perhaps maple-Dijon or orange-tarragon. A simple drizzle of olive oil and splash of vinegar (balsamic, white balsamic, apple cider, etc.) also works, although a zingy herb and citrus dressing is always a nice touch.

Plate the asparagus and prettily place the sliced applies and toasted pecans atop. Season with flaky sea salt and freshly ground pepper, drizzle with vinaigrette, and serve the remainder on the side.

Happy Spring!

Learn more about food personality and health expert Dr. P.K. Newby, or her experience as anutrition scientist, professor, and consultant here. You can also follow her on FB, where she is much more active than on this blog. Or, click here if you just want to ogle food porn featuring plant-based, globally inspired cooking.

Iraklis | 15Jun

With vegan recipes like this one vegans enjoy tasty and healthy food !
Thank you for sharing.
There are some good news to share about vegan eggs
https://cruelty-free-lifestyle.org/vegan-eggs/
Dr. P.K. Newby | 09Jul

You are welcome, and thank you for your note!

Dr. P.K. Newby is a nutrition scientist, speaker, and author with expertise in all things food, farm to fork, whether preventing obesity and other chronic diseases through diet or teaching planet-conscious eating. As a health expert and food personality, she brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability to educate and inspire, helping people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. Healthy Hedonism (TM) is her philosophy: Because healthy food shouldn’t suck.