Spring Asparagus Spoon Salad

A vibrant and refreshing salad featuring blanched asparagus, edamame, and creamy goat cheese, perfect for spring gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound asparagus spears, diced into scant 1/2-inch rounds, tough ends discarded
  • 1 (16 ounce) bag edamame beans, thawed if frozen
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (fresh mint and dill are also nice)
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 3/4 cup slivered or smoked salted almonds, coarsely chopped (some reserved for topping)
  • 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled while cold

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or apricot jam
  • Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and water. Set a colander aside.
  2. In a large pot, bring about 2 inches of water to a boil and season it with a generous pinch of kosher salt.
  3. Add the diced asparagus to the boiling water, cover, and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Remove the lid, add the edamame, and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  5. Drain the vegetables into the colander and immediately plunge it into the ice water to cool.
  6. In a large bowl, gently toss together the blanched asparagus, edamame, cannellini beans, parsley, green onions, and chopped almonds.
  7. For the dressing, combine all dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake well.
  8. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, using as much as you prefer. Top with reserved almonds and crumbles of goat cheese before serving.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition information may vary. It s recommended to use a nutrition calculator for precise data.