Vibrant Asparagus-Apple Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
Elevate your salad game with this Vibrant Asparagus-Apple Salad featuring crisp asparagus, sweet gala apples, and a rich creamy blue cheese dressing. This delightful dish combines fresh flavors and textures, making it a perfect addition to any meal or an excellent stand-alone dish. Packed with nutrients and bursting with color, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal produce. Perfect as a side dish for gatherings or a light lunch option, you won’t want to miss out on this refreshing recipe.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup (crumbled)
fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
white vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
water
1 tablespoon (none)
sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons (none)
extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
asparagus
2 cups (diagonally cut into 2-inch pieces)
butter lettuce
4 cups (torn (or use field greens))
gala apples
2 cups (thinly sliced)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together crumbled blue cheese, parsley, white vinegar, water, sugar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined and creamy.
2
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the diagonally cut asparagus. Blanch the asparagus for 1 minute to retain its vibrant color and crispness.
3
Immediately drain the asparagus and rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly.
4
In a large serving bowl, combine the blanched asparagus, torn butter lettuce (or field greens), and thinly sliced gala apples.
5
Drizzle the creamy blue cheese vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly without bruising the lettuce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Vibrant Asparagus-Apple Salad?
The salad features fresh flavors and textures, combining crisp asparagus, sweet gala apples, and a rich creamy blue cheese dressing.
Which type of cheese is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
What specific variety of apple is recommended?
Gala apples are recommended for their sweetness and are thinly sliced for the salad.
How much asparagus is required?
You will need 2 cups of asparagus, diagonally cut into 2-inch pieces.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
The butter lettuce should be torn into pieces, or you can use field greens as an alternative.
What is the preparation method for the asparagus before adding it to the salad?
The asparagus is blanched in boiling water for 1 minute and then immediately rinsed under cold water.
For how long should the asparagus be blanched?
The asparagus should be blanched for exactly 1 minute to retain its vibrant color and crispness.
Why is the asparagus rinsed in cold water after boiling?
Rinsing under cold running water stops the cooking process to keep the asparagus crisp.
What type of vinegar is used in the creamy dressing?
The dressing uses 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.
How much Dijon mustard is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
Is there any sugar in the dressing?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is added to the dressing mixture.
What kind of oil is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
How much parsley is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.
What seasonings are used for the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How should the apples be sliced?
The gala apples should be thinly sliced.
Can I substitute field greens for the butter lettuce?
Yes, field greens are a suitable substitute for the 4 cups of torn butter lettuce.
How should the salad be tossed?
The salad should be tossed gently to coat the ingredients evenly without bruising the lettuce.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
What makes the salad vibrant?
The combination of blanched green asparagus, fresh greens, and colorful gala apples creates a vibrant look.
What tools are needed to make the dressing?
You will need a medium bowl and a whisk to combine the dressing ingredients.
In what kind of bowl should the final salad be combined?
The ingredients should be combined and tossed in a large serving bowl.
How should the asparagus be cut?
It should be diagonally cut into 2-inch pieces.
Is water added to the dressing?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of water is whisked into the dressing mixture.
Is this salad better as a side or a main?
It is versatile and can be served as a side dish for gatherings or as a light lunch option.
What is the primary texture of the asparagus after blanching?
The asparagus remains crisp due to the brief 1-minute blanching time.
How much crumbled blue cheese is used?
The dressing uses 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
Is the black pepper freshly ground?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How much salt is used in the dressing?
The dressing contains 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
What kind of produce does this salad highlight?
This salad highlights seasonal produce like fresh asparagus and apples.