Ultimate Spring Salad
The ultimate comfort food for spring, the Ultimate Spring Salad is bursting with fresh flavors and vibrant colors. It's an easy weeknight dinner that brings the taste of the season right to your table. Perfect for gatherings or a healthy lunch, you'll want to make this salad again and again!
Equipment
- Blender
- Oven
- Peeler
- Chef's Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus Asparagus 1 bunch; 12 oz. after woody ends removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- to taste salt Fine Sea Salt
- 5 ounces spring salad mix Spring Salad Mix (or other baby lettuce)
- 1 large Carrot shredded
- 3 Radishes trimmed and thinly sliced
- 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas Chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup feta cheese Feta Cheese Crumbles
- 1 ripe Avocado pitted, peeled, and sliced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves Fresh Basil Leaves (tightly packed)
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt Fine Sea Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF.
- Remove the woody ends from the asparagus by bending the spears towards the bottom; they should snap where the tougher ends should be removed. Slice the asparagus into 1-inch pieces, then place them on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with the extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the top with fine sea salt, and roast until it's tender, about 15 minutes.
- While the asparagus is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, basil, honey, garlic, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper. Blend until smooth, and adjust any seasoning to taste.
- When you're ready to assemble the salad, start with a bed of spring salad mix, and top them with the shredded carrots, sliced radish, drained chickpeas, and roasted asparagus. Sprinkle on the feta cheese (or omit for a dairy-free salad), and add the sliced avocado right before serving.
- Drizzle the dressing generously over the salad, and gently toss. Serve right away.
Notes
- Nutrition Tip: Nutrition information is for 1 of 4 servings, assuming you use ALL of the dressing, which you may not.
- Serving Size: If serving this salad as a side, you may get closer to 6 servings, if people take smaller portions.
- Vegan Variation: Replace the honey with maple syrup and omit the feta cheese for a delicious vegan option.
- Creamy Dressing: To make it creamy, add a tablespoon of tahini or almond butter to the dressing.