Spring is here, and that means asparagus! We can’t seem to get enough asparagus this year. I pick up a few bunches every time I go to the grocery store.
As much as I love it simply roasted, I’ve discovered how much I love it thinly sliced and barely cooked. The asparagus maintains its beautiful bright green color and delicious, sweet crunch, just like in this Spring Asparagus Quinoa Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette.
Written by: Lindsey Johnson of Cafe Johnsonia
A great thing about this salad, besides being fresh and delicious, is that you can eat it warm, room temperature, or cold. It’s the perfect salad to pop into your lunch bag to take to work or when you’re out running errands and don’t want to hit up fast food for lunch. The different components can be made ahead and assembled at the last minute too, but the leftovers are great the next day too.
I used tarragon for the vinaigrette. It has a nice licorice flavor without being too overwhelming. Tarragon and mustard are a match made in heaven and the honey in the vinaigrette adds just enough sweetness to complement the asparagus. It’s one tasty, healthy salad!
How are you eating asparagus this spring?
More Ways to Enjoy Asparagus this Spring:
- Asparagus Tart with Gruyere
- Spring Green Risotto
- Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry in a Honey Ginger Sauce
- Chicken Asparagus Wraps | Some the Wiser
- Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie with Asparagus, Mushrooms and Leeks | Cafe Johnsonia
- Dijon Maple Asapargus | Food Faith Fitness
- Roasted Asparagus, Green Onion, and Blue Cheese Frittata | Naturally Ella
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Asparagus Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Asparagus Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette is a quick and easy salad made with fresh asparagus and quinoa tossed with a flavorful tarragon-mustard vinaigrette.
Ingredients
For vinaigrette:
- 2 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- white pepper
- pinch garlic powder
For salad:
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup water
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus
- 1 small shallot, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
- Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients or place in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake. Set aside.
- If quinoa is not pre-rinsed, wash well in a fine-mesh colander to remove the bitter outer coating. Drain well.
- Place quinoa in a 2-quart sauce pan.
- Add the water, lemon juice, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cover.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until water has been absorbed and the quinoa is cooked through. (It will become translucent when it's properly cooked.)
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for a few minutes.
- In the meantime, trim off a few inches of the asparagus stems and discard. Thinly slice the asparagus into 1/8- to 1/6-inch rounds.
- Add the asparagus, shallot, and sliced almonds to the pan of quinoa. The remaining heat will barely cook the asparagus.
- Pour some of the vinaigrette over the quinoa and asparagus. Toss to coat. Let stand for a few minutes so it can absorb the vinaigrette.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Add more vinaigrette to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute any whole grain for the quinoa. Couscous would also be delicious.
- Leftovers will keep well for 1-2 days in the fridge.
- To make ahead, prepare salad and vinaigrette and store separately. Add dressing right before serving.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 166Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 0mgSodium 227mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 2gSugar 11gProtein 3g
Betsy kreuter
Monday 31st of March 2014
OMG! This is a great salad! I could not get enough of it. The dressing is great. The whole salad comes together pretty quickly. I could eat the whole bowl in one sitting. Thanks Lindsey!
Alex | Better with Family
Wednesday 26th of March 2014
Oh my WORD does this sound and look amazing. I read this while I was waiting for a dinner guest to arrive at a restaurant and made a quick stop by the grocery store on my way home tonight so I can make this tomorrow. My mouth is starting to salivate just wondering what balsamic and honey mustard must taste like together. I never would've pegged them together for something but it makes total sense after reading it. Thanks!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Wednesday 26th of March 2014
What a delicious salad! I love the idea of quinoa and asparagus! And thanks for sharing my asparagus recipe! :)
Katrina @ WVS
Wednesday 26th of March 2014
This salad is so perfect for Spring (whenever it gets here). Love it!
Lisa Eirene (@LisaEirene)
Wednesday 26th of March 2014
This looks like an amazing spring dish! I love asparagus and I'm looking forward to when it's in season. In the winter I eat mostly brussels sprouts. :)