Lemon, Pepper, and Asparagus Salad
Spring has finally sprung here in Cincinnati. And with the addition of a shiney new grill to our family, we’ve been opting for easy-peasey meals which include grilled meat and a pile of fresh vegetables. For maximum ease of meal prepping, we just grill the veggies, but sometimes I like to prepare them in other ways.
Lemon, pepper, and asparagus salad is one of those ways. This salad really highlights the fresh in-season asparagus. Since it cooked for a few minutes on the stovetop, it keeps a nice crunch and vibrant color.
The lemon juice and freshly ground pepper just enhance those flavors. I threw in some heirloom cherry tomatoes to add some color and texture to the dish. You could make it with or without the tomatoes.
One note about fresh tomatoes. I ALWAYS season them with coursely ground sea salt and freshly ground pepper. No matter what I’m doing with them, they always get seasoned. And don’t be afraid to use some salt on tomatoes. I remember watching an episode of Barefoot Contessa years ago where she talked about how the flavor of a tomato can really be enhanced by some salt, and how it’s hard to over-salt a tomato. I took those words to heart and firmly agree with her.
One Year Ago: Marbled Chocolate Chip Bundt and Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Two Years Ago: Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken and Carrot Cake and Cheesecake Cake
Three Years Ago: Spring M&M Pretzel Treats and Vanilla Buttercream
Four Years Ago: Fauxstess Cupcakes and Spinach Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, Goat Cheese and Tomato
Lemon Pepper Asparagus Salad
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 bunch asparagus (rinsed)
zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
bowl of ice water (for blanching)
Directions:
Chop the asparagus into small pieces.
Put the asparagus and a splash of water in a pot on the stove top. Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until asparagus turn bright green. Turn off the heat and transfer the asparagus to the ice bath.
Allow to sit in the ice water for a couple of minutes. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
Add the oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and tomatoes and stir well. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with extra lemon zest if desired.
Recipe from Keep It Simple Foods
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
That looks really good, a new take on potato salad..can’t wait to try it out!
Mmm I like potato salad and with coriander yum!
http://Www.brisbanebaker.blogspot.com
Lemon and cilantro are the perfect couple! I love your story — I have a notebook with family recipes in it with names like “Christina’s Dip” or “Mary’s Potato Salad” (yes, I have a potato salad lady too!). I feel that it is only fitting to name the dish after them 🙂
That looks great! We are having the in-laws over Friday night and grilling burgers and I think this will be a perfect side!
Hubby’s Mom here: for those who don’t like cilantro (and I know, hard to believe there are people who don’t like it), you can substitute basil. This potato salad is really good either way.
This sounds wonderfully fresh and flavorful. I’m not a big fan of mayonnaise-y potato salad so this sounds great!
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Oooh potato salad definitely makes me think of warm weather. And even more so with lemon and cilantro! Plus, it’s so pretty 🙂
Sues
we made this last night and it was awesome!! will definitely be making it again. so easy and delicious!
Love your blog!! We made this last night – it was amazing!!! We love potato salad, but never eat it because of how horrible it is for you. This is going to be a summer staple recipe for us. Thanks!!!
I’m making this now, but what do I do with the shallot?
Marguerite – If you’re using shallots instead of scallions, just add them in near the end where it says to stir in the scallion.s