Asparagus Confetti Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH SWEET PEPPER CONFETTI

Steps:

• In a small screw-top jar or plastic container with tight fitting lid, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine and set dressing mixture aside.
• Using a medium pot over high heat bring lightly salted water to a rapid boil. Add asparagus to the boiling water and cook until it is tender but firm.
• Drain asparagus and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water. After 5 minutes remove the asparagus, drain again, and pat dry.
• Place asparagus on a platter with tips facing in the same direction and fanned out. Drizzle the dressing over the asparagus and sprinkle with the diced peppers.
• To serve this warm, drain the asparagus after cooking and lay it immediately on the platter, do not plunge in ice water bath.

CONFETTI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Mix macaroni, veggies, cheese crumbles & ham.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper & parmesan.
• Pour dressing over top. Mix well.
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH CAPER-CORNICHON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a small pot of water to a simmer over medium heat. Lower eggs into water; cook 9 minutes. Transfer to ice bath; let stand until cool enough to handle. Peel and slice into rounds.
• Whisk together vinegar, mustard, and sugar. Slowly whisk in oil, then capers, cornichons, and thyme. Season to taste.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Drizzle asparagus lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning once, until crisp-tender and charred in places, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a platter, top with eggs, and spoon vinaigrette over top; serve.

CONGEALED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Soften gelatin in cold water or 1/2 cup of the juice drained from the asparagus tips.
• Heat undiluted soup to boiling and add gelatin mixture.
• Stir to thorougly dissolve gelatin.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Mix mayonnaise and cream cheese and add to soup mixture.
• Add onion, olives, asparagus tips and toasted pecans.
• Pour into serving dish and chill until set.
• Serve on lettuce leaf.
• NOTE: Cooking time refers to chilling time.

SAUTEED CONFETTI ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat ½ Cup of the Dressing in Large Nonstick Skillet.
• Add Peppers and Onion.
• Cook and Stir on Medium-High Heat 3 to 5 Minutes or Until Tender.
• Add Asparagus to skillet.
• Pour Remaining ¼ Cup Dressing Evenly Over Asparagus and Cover.
• Reduce Heat to Medium-Low and Cook 5-7 Minutes or Until Asparagus are Tender.
• Spoon onto Serving Platter and Sprinkle with Cheese.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.