Barbs Asparagus Salad Recipes

ROASTED ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH FRIED SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Trim bottom of asparagus spears at point where they turn pale and tough. If spears are medium to thick, peel lower two thirds of the trimmed spears with sharp vegetable peeler. Thin spears needn't be peeled. Place them in a bowl, add chopped sage, olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt and toss lightly. Spread asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until the spears are slightly limp -- 4 to 8 minutes depending on their thickness. Remove from oven and let cool. Heat olive oil in a 1 1/2 to 2 quart saucepan to 330 degrees. Drop in half of the sage leaves and turn them in the oil with a wire skimmer or slotted spoon. Fry for only 10 to 15 seconds, do not let the leaves brown. Then remove them to paper towels to drain. Fry the remaining sage leaves and sprinkle them all lightly with salt. They should crisp when they cool. The sage can be fried up to 1 day ahead of time -- store in airtight container at room temperature. Shave the Parmigiano cheese into thin curls. For the dressing, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped sage, salt, pepper in a small mixing bowl, whisk in the oil. When ready to serve, toss asparagus with the dressing in a large bowl. Arrange the dressed asparagus on a serving platter, sprinkle with Parmigiano curls and with the fried sage leaves.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for low heat. Combine the lemon juice and olive oil on a plate. Place asparagus on the plate, and roll around to coat.
• Grill asparagus for about 5 minutes, turning at least once, and brushing with the olive oil mixture. Remove from the grill, and place back onto the plate with the oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, Parmesan cheese, and slivered almonds. Cut asparagus into bite-size pieces, and add to the salad along with the lemon juice and oil from the plate. Toss to blend, then serve.

BARLEY AND HERB SALAD WITH ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat a 3- quart saucepan over medium-high heat and add barley. Toast in the pan, shaking pan or stirring grains until they begin to smell a little bit like popcorn. Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste (I suggest 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon for 1 cup barley), reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 to 50 minutes, until barley is tender (it will always be chewy). Drain off any liquid remaining in the pot through a strainer (set it over a bowl if you think you might want to use the barley water in a stock or risotto - it'll keep for a day in the refrigerator). Shake strainer and return barley to the pot. Cover pot with a clean dishtowel and return the lid. Allow barley to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roast asparagus and make dressing. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Snap off woody ends of the asparagus and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and toss together until all of the asparagus is coated with oil (I do this with my hands). Make sure that asparagus is in one layer on the baking sheet in the pan and place in oven. Roast for about 12 minutes, or until tender and beginning to shrivel. It should be browned in spots. Remove from heat.
• Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, salt, lemon zest, garlic, and mustard. Whisk in olive oil.
• Transfer cooked barley to a large bowl. Add herbs and vinaigrette and toss together until barley is evenly coated with dressing. Arrange on a platter or on plates. Lay stalks of roasted asparagus on over the top, and serve.