Salmon and Asparagus Salad

Are you ready for a barrage of asparagus recipes? I've been cooking lots of asparagus since they came in season here in Washington. Growing up, I never really liked asparagus because whenever my mom would cook it, it would be slightly mushy and olive green. Not that appetizing to a 5 or 10 year old. (Sorry, mom. Love you!)

Now that I cook my own asparagus, I like to leave them just a little bit crunchy and bright green. Blanching is a great way to do that. Simply boil the asparagus in some water for a few minutes, then shock them with an ice water bath. It will keep the green and they will still be crispy (no mush!)

The inspiration for this salad was a recipe from Michele Cranston's Seasonal Kitchen. The first time I made this recipe, I was living in a dorm room and used my plastic microwave steamer to cook the asparagus. I fell in love with it, and have made it almost every year since. The original recipe calls for bocconcini, or baby mozzarella, which I substituted with sheep's milk feta. The avocado balances out the salty salmon and feta perfectly. Drizzle a little white wine vinaigrette, and you have yourself one delicious salad!

Salmon and Asparagus Salad with Avocado and Feta

adapted from Seasonal Kitchen by Michele Cranston

Serves 4

1 lb. smoked salmon

1 bunch asparagus, ends snapped off

1 avocado, sliced

lettuce greens

sheep's milk feta

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

6 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

1. Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil. Cook asparagus for 4-5 minutes, then shock in an ice water bath. Drain and set aside.

2. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Layer salmon pieces, asparagus spears, avocado sliced and feta chunks over lettuce. Drizzle generously with dressing.

Enjoy!




Linked at Whole Foods Wednesdays.