Warm Asparagus Mushroom Salad With Goat Cheese Balsamic Dressi Food

ASPARAGUS & MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Snap woody end from asparagus spears, and cut in half on the diagonal. Blanch in boiling water for one minute. Drain, and plunge into cold water. Set aside.
• Place mustard, citrus juice, zest, garlic, pepper and honey in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat to low, adding mushrooms, and toss. Cool, take off heat.
• Remove mushrooms from sauce with slotted spoon and set aside.
• Return the sauce to heat, bring to boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until reduce and syrupy. Cool slightly.
• To serve, toss the mushrooms, spinach leaves, red pepper, red onion, and asparagus. Plate this salad mix, and drizzle with the citrus sauce.

WARM MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange greens on 4 salad plates.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add mushrooms, shallots and garlic.
• Cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender.
• Stir in chives, lemon juice, vinegar and sugar.
• Simmer for a few seconds until very hot.
• Spoon over salad greens.
• Optional: Top with croutons, Parmesan cheese, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS & MUSHROOM SALAD WITH CREAMY MUSTARD DRESS

Steps:

• Dressing -- Make this ahead and refrigerate until ready to use. In a small bowl, add the yogurt, mustard and parmesan, salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate until ready to use. If the dressing is too thick for you, add a little of the milk. I usually add about 1 teaspoon, but add more if you like the dressing a bit thinner. Make ahead, it is even better.
• Asparagus and Mushrooms -- When ready to make the salad, add the asparagus and mushrooms to a small bowl and mix with the olive oil, italian seasoning, pinch of salt and pepper. Toss well and add to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or not. The parchment paper makes for a quick clean up. Roast in a 425 degree oven, middle shelf for 7-10 minutes. You want the asparagus and mushrooms roasted and slightly tender, but not over done.
• Salad and Plate -- In a large bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the dressing and toss with the lettuce and onion. Plate about 1 1/2 cups of the lettuce per plate and top with the asparagus and mushrooms. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad and serve. ENJOY! This is a simple but very good salad.

FRESH BALSAMIC ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Trim the asparagus (keeping the darker green and less fibrous parts) and cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Thinly slice the mushrooms.
• Simmer the asparagus in 1/2 cup of water with a pinch of salt until it is tender (about 10-13 minutes).
• While the asparagus is simmering, whisk the lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic together.
• Gradually add the olive oil and then the black pepper.
• Once you have drained the asparagus and let it cool, gently toss it with half of the dressing to coat it well.
• Toss the remaining dressing with the basil and the mushrooms, and sprinkle the mixture over the asparagus.
• Season to taste with salt, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or Mizithra cheese, and serve.

SIENISALAATTI (A FRESH MUSHROOM SALAD FROM FINLAND)

Steps:

• Heat 1 inch salted water to boiling, using 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup water. Add mushrooms. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 minute. Drain and chill.
• Mix all remaining ingredients. Pour over mushrooms and toss. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
• Serve in lettuce cups if desired.

WARM ASPARAGUS SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Put the asparagus into an large oblong baking dish.
• Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle evenly with salt.
• Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until crisp-tender; stir every 10 minutes.
• While the asparagus is cooking, prepare the pasta according to package directions; drain.
• Add the onions, vinegar, and soy sauce in the container of a blender; process.
• While processing, gradually add the remaining olive oil in a steady stream.
• In a large serving bowl, add the pasta, spinach, and asparagus; drizzle dressing over all; toss to coat.
• Season to taste with pepper, if desired.
• Sprinkle with cashews and Parmesan cheese.
• Serve warm.