Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad With Cilantro Dressing Recipe

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 4 servings

If you’re looking for a bright green salad loaded with fresh flavor, then look no further. Springy asparagus and peppery arugula are topped with an herb vinaigrette, crispy breadcrumbs, and salty Parmesan. Shelled edamame, also known as fresh soybeans, add protein and a chewy texture.

This recipe makes good use of one piece of essential kitchen equipment: a peeler. Fresh, raw asparagus are shaved to make them easier to eat while remaining crunchy. Shaved Parmesan makes a pretty topping and adds a cheesy bite. You can buy already-shaved Parmesan at the grocery store, or you can do it yourself using (you guessed it) a peeler.

The dressing can be made a day ahead of time. Store any leftover dressing in the fridge for up to two days.

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 1 lemon

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon

• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1 clove garlic, finely grated

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

• 1 (10- to 12-ounce) bunch thick asparagus, trimmed

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

• Salt, to taste

• 4 ounces arugula

• 1 cup edamame, cooked and shelled

• 1/4 cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, zest, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until smooth and well combined.

3. Shave the asparagus into thin strips using a vegetable peeler. If you own a spoon with a flat handle, lay an asparagus spear on the handle with the cut end hanging off. This will help you steady the spears and shave the entire asparagus.

4. In a large bowl, toss the shaved asparagus with half of the dressing. Set aside.

5. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until toasted and light brown. Season with salt.

6. Add the arugula, edamame, and the remaining dressing to the asparagus and toss. Top with breadcrumbs and shaved Parmesan.

Variations

• Add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp to make this salad a full-fledged meal. Sliced hard-boiled egg adds protein for a non-meat option.
• If you’re one of those people that doesn’t care for cilantro, replace it with fresh chopped parsley.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	269
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 4g	18%
Cholesterol 5mg	2%
Sodium 526mg	23%
Total Carbohydrate 17g	6%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 19mg	94%
Calcium 150mg	12%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 434mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.