Zesty Asparagus And White Bean Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a saute pan, cover the asparagus with salted water and boil until just tender (they begin to turn bright green). Immediately remove the asparagus from heat a place in an ice bath. Drain and combine asparagus, beans and red pepper.
• In a separate bowl, combine ingredients for dressing and stir together. Coat salad with dressing, if extra remains reserve for later in refrigerator. Salad can soften too much if left in pooled dressing.

ASPARAGUS, BEAN AND PISTACHIO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until bright green but still slightly crisp in the center, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Repeat with the haricots verts. Dry the asparagus and beans, then slice them into 1/4-inch pieces.
• Rub a bowl with the garlic clove. Add the asparagus, beans, lettuce, pistachios and cheese. Sprinkle with the vinegar and oil. Season generously with pepper and truffle salt. Mix salad until evenly dressed. Fix the seasoning if you need to.

ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH FETA & LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large, lidded pot with a steamer insert, fill with 1 1/2 inches of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Steam the asparagus pieces, covered, until they are tender-firm, 4 to 7 minutes. Drain in a colander under cold, running water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon zest and juice, mint, salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine the beans, feta cheese, radishes, scallions and steamed asparagus pieces. Add the dressing and gently toss to evenly coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

WHITE-BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cut asparagus on a diagonal into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
• Bring oil, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in beans and asparagus. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. While beans stand, toast bread until golden. Meanwhile, remove enough cheese from piece with a vegetable peeler to measure about 1/2 cup shavings. Add shavings to beans along with parsley, then toss.
• Spread hot toast with butter and rub buttered side of each with cut side of garlic clove, then season with salt and halve. Serve bean salad with toasts.

LEMONY ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH SHAVED CHEESE AND NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread pistachios in an even layer and toast for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle, then roughly chop.
• Meanwhile, fill a large skillet with 1-inch water. Place steam basket on top, cover and bring to a simmer. Steam asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Finely chop 3 tablespoons mixed soft herbs. In a medium bowl, combine shallot, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and the pepper, and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk in oil, then stir in pistachios, cheese and chopped herbs.
• To serve, drizzle asparagus with oil and salt to taste. Dollop with dressing, tear remaining 1/2 cup herbs on top, and sprinkle generously with more cheese. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

WHITE BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH TARRAGON-LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• If using canned beans, drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending upon what kind of beans you're using. Drain.
• Break off tough ends of the asparagus. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl with ice and cold water. Blanch trimmed asparagus for 1 1/2 minutes, or until just cooked through but still firm, then plunge them into the ice bath. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Pat dry and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a blender or food processor, combine tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and the lemon juice, and process until garlic is chopped. Pour in olive oil. Process until mixture is well blended and bright green, about 1 minute.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together beans, asparagus and dressing. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.