Spring salad with asparagus
Spring salad with asparagus and basil citrusy baby lima beans is a delicious combination of crisp healthy green, with eggs and mozzarella cheese.
Servings 4
Calories 318kcal
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Asparagus Use fresh one for best results
- 1 cup Baby lima bean (I have used frozen here)
- 2-3 Persian cucumber slice before serving
- 2 Hard boiled eggs
- 6-8 mozzarella pearls Fresh
- 10-12 slices Dried Strawberry (Store bought)
- 1 handful Arugula leaves (Use basil leaves instead ) (pick the tiniest leaves from the salad greens mix)
Dressing
- 1 tbsp Basil paste (or use pesto instead)
- 1 Lime /lemon juiced
- 1/3 cup Olive oil (good quality)
- 1 tsp Freshly crushed black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pan with water adding salt. When it comes to boil add the asparagus cut into pieces. Give it a minute when it turns light green and crisp. Remove on to a wide plate and cook or put in ice bath to crisp up.
- In the same water add the lima bean and boil for 3 minutes and switch off heat and leave in the water for another 20-25 minutes. Once cooked drain off water and add 1/2 the dressing and mix gently add the asparagus too while mixing keep this covered refrigerated until ready to use.
- Meanwhile cook hard boiled eggs in an instant pot. Do check the video for details.When the eggs are cool ,peel and cut into two.
- For the dressing : Add all the ingredients given in the list to a small bottle with lid and give it a good shake.
- Cut the cucumber in round and long slices to keep things interesting .
- Assemble the salad as seen in the pictures here. Put few leaves of arugula first then lay a bed with the asparagus and lima beans and arrange the cucumber towards the edges so it won't get soggy fast. Spread the dried strawberry slices on top and also the cheese, egg sliced.Tuck the remaining arugula leaves in all the empty spaces. This way the salad won't turn soggy fast.
- Pour remaining dressing just before serving on top evenly or on the side for extras. Add some croutons or pasta and it can become the main meal or serve as side salad with grilled meats
Video
Notes
Do not keep asparagus in boiling water for long it will wilt and look limp. Save its green color by blanching technique. Asparagus is not full cooked half done with a bite is the way to enjoy it the best way.