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Shaved asparagus and sweet corn pair perfectly in this fresh salad. The bright lemon dressing ties it all together.
Spring, to me, has "officially" arrived when asparagus can be found at the market for less than $2 per pound and fresh corn (though not local) is not only a great price but is sweet and tender with tiny, pale white and yellow kernels that seem to burst with flavor and freshness. It's that time and this Shaved Asparagus and Sweet Corn Salad is bursting with Spring flavor!
I found both recently on my weekly trip to Aldi and was both thrilled and inspired. I decided to shave the asparagus which is a delicious way to enjoy raw asparagus. Fresh corn adds a lovely crunch and does not need to be cooked when used in a salad like this, so it was fun and easy to put together.
It does take a bit of time to shave the asparagus but this can be done ahead and kept, refrigerated, in a bowl of ice water for 6-8 hours, making this a perfect dish to make ahead for guests.
I added dried cranberries for a bit of delicious sweetness and thin ribbons of red onions for a burst of zesty flavor.
P.S. I use a vegetable peeler to shave my asparagus.
- Ingredients for the salad
- 1 bunch asparagus shaved into thin ribbons with a sharp vegetable peeler*
- 3 cobs fresh corn corn removed from husks**
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ small red onion very thinly sliced with a sharp knife
- Ingredients for the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons neutral flavored oil ie canola or sunflower
- 1 teaspoon honey
- sea salt a pinch
- freshly ground black pepper
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For the dressing, combine oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl, mix well with a fork or small whisk.
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Combine shaved asparagus and thinly sliced red onion in a medium size bowl filled with ice water. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes or up to 8 hours (refrigerated). When ready to serve, drain well and spread out on a clean kitchen towel to dry.
-
Combine asparagus/onion mixture with corn and dried cranberries and cilantro leaves. Add dressing to coat and toss well to combine.
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Salad can be made 2-3 hours ahead or served immediately. Since there's no lettuce involved to wilt, it's delicious the next day as the flavors will have melded. The asparagus won't be as curled (from the stint in ice water) and pretty, but it still looks fresh and tastes fabulous!
~ *Asparagus is easy to shave with a sharp vegetable peeler. If your peeler is old or dull, don't even try it. Here's a great tutorial with helpful tips on shaving asparagus.
~ ** You might be wondering if I forgot to tell you how to cook the corn. When corn is tender and fresh, it doesn't need any cooking when used in recipes like salads and salsas. It adds a delightful sweet crunch and is full of flavor.
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
This is such a beautiful spring salad! Love the flavors you added to it!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Lovely salad!!! We love to make our own dressing. They are so easy and quick.. No more of that bottled stuff for us!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Lovely salad!!! We love to make our own dressing. They are so easy and quick.. No more of that bottled stuff for us!!!
Joy Bee says
Beautiful salad. I love asparagus. Must give this a try.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Gorgeous! This is definitely a must-try in my book!
Lenia says
What a delicious healthy salad!Love its vibrant colors!
kisses,dear Chris!
www.you-made-that.com says
Another beautiful salad Chris, it looks so fresh and lovely. The lemon dressing sounds refreshing and springy, looking forward to seeing the pizza recipe.
Marigene says
What a gorgeous looking salad...sounds so refreshing with a lemon dressing. I love cilantro and with such distinct flavors I wouldn't have thought to pair it with asparagus. I can't wait to try this...thanks for sharing, Chris.
twodogsinthekitchen says
This dish just says spring! So pretty and colorful and the simple dressing sounds terrific! I love dried cranberries in a salad, they give it that little extra pop. Have a great weekend!
The Mom Chef says
Is that spring on a plate or what! It look amazing, Chris. Just so you know, I'm very jealous of the farmer's market you have over there. I've been to it a couple of times and it's amazing. Nothing like our flea market-esque cave here in W-S. I think I'd live at the place if I was closer.
Vicki Bensinger says
This is a lovely salad Chris. Shaving the asparagus is a wonderful way to serve this while maintaining the crisp freshness of the vegetable. I can't wait to read about the pizza. Nice recipe and photos.
Kim G. says
I'm soooooooo waiting for fresh local aspargus!!! This salad looks asbolutely lovery.... And as a pizza topping, yumm!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a beautiful, fresh salad for spring! Can't wait for your pizza recipe too :).
bellini says
I have all of the ingredients and time on my hands. I m ready for some deliciousness.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Oh my how beautiful!! I love this salad, so refreshing and pretty and the pizza, mmmm, looks good!! Have a wonderful weekend!
Angie Schneider says
A fantastic seasonal salad, Chris. Love the add of cranberries.
Debra Eliotseats says
I have got to get some asparagus at the FM this weekend. I have never shaved it or had it raw in a salad. This looks delicious and can't wait for your pizza post!
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Looks like a very pretty, tasty and healthy salad! We haven't had any asparagus yet this year, hopefully soon:@)
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Everything that I love in a bowl. I'd be excited to have all those fresh ingredients combined together...
Mi Ka says
Otra ensalada fantastica! Muy sana y deliciosa, como solo tu sabes preparar! Un abrazo muy fuerte y que pases un día estupendo!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, this looks like a wonderful recipe and makes use of the best fresh ingredients that are available at this time of year - a very creative idea to pair green asparagus and corn. The photography is amazing too - the colors are just wonderful.
P.S.: I will have to add that the fact that you mentioned "ALDI" does make me smile...
Have a lovely Friday!
Esther@thefussfreechef says
Chris, this is a very unique salad - i've never had raw asparagus and corn salad before, i am intrigued! The addition of roast chicken sounds good, i am going to hunt for some nice asparagus this weekend to make this, thanks!
ZielonaMila says
Fantastic colour, delicious:) Greetings
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
Amazing color and so fresh looking!
Ginny says
Awesome! And very versatile!!