I'm ever hopeful of good weather and with an eye to the summer I'm tucking into lots of salads and imagining the joy of eating them on an actual sunny day. They seem to be few and far between.
I've souped myself out over the winter, so even on rainy, cold days I still want salad instead of soup and if the salad is as satisfying as this asparagus, avocado, blue cheese and beetroot salad then even better.
Asparagus season has arrived again and that was my starting point for this salad. I added pickled beetroot for a contrast to the green tang of asparagus, blue cheese for a salty edge and avocado for the creamy texture. I pulled all this together with some mixed leaves and drizzled with a little vinaigrette.
It was tasty and satisfying, a real winner.
Benefits of Asparagus
Asparagus is a true superfood. It's a powerhouse of nutrients as well as tasting great. It's a really good source of Vitamins A, C, E and K as well as Vitamin B6 and dietary fibre, It also offers calcium, folate, copper and iron and is full of antioxidants.
Buy it while it's in season and it will be tender and cheaper than out-of-season asparagus flown in, then cook it lightly to bring out all it's glorious flavour.
Asparagus, Avocado, Smooth Blue Cheese &
Beetroot Salad
Beetroot Salad
A flavourful salad for sunny days. A lovely mixture of flavours and textures to brighten up your day.
Ingredients
- 90g mixed salad leaves
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 12 asparagus tips
- 120-150g Blue cheese, I used Claxstone's Smooth Blue, cut into chunks
- 12 baby beets, (pickled or fresh) cut in half
Instructions
1. Steam or boil the asparagus until tender, then rinse in cold water to refresh.
2. Divide the salad leaves between the bowls.
3. Slice the avocado and then toss in the lemon juice, This will prevent the avocado from browning, but will also add a bit of extra flavour too.
4. Add the asparagus, avocado and baby beets to the bowls, then top with the blue cheese and a drizzle of your favourite salad dressing.
Details
Total time:
Yield: Serves 4
Here are a few of my favourite salads
- Artichoke, Red Pepper & Goats Cheese Salad
- Fig, Beetroot & Feta Salad
- Potato Salad with Rhubarb Balsamic Dressing
- Herbful Pasta Salad with Mushrooms
- Caprese Salad with Chilli and Lime
- Quinoa, Lentil and Bean Salad
That's beautiful - and here's hoping the @#$%! weather soon cooperates so you can have your dream picnic.
ReplyDeleteEven the plate is gorgeous. ::sigh::
Thanks Tanita and I am with you on the weather x
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ReplyDeleteTanita will only eat 2 of the 4 ingredeients, however - she doesn't do asparagus or blue cheese. I do, though, so come on over with your salad. :)
ReplyDeleteNow that is funny as Graham is exactly the same. No blue cheese or asparagus x
DeleteThat looks stunning. I LOVE blue cheese and will eat everything in that salad. Waiting for those sunny days. My favourite thing is to eat breakfast outside, it always feels so decadent and holiday like. Last year I think we managed it once or twice but that is all :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice :)
DeleteBEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL! You know how much I LOVE salads Jac and this has MY name all over it! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was really yummy Karen, such a good contrast in textures.
DeleteWhat a stunning & great fab salad! i love it so much! I also love beets a lot!
ReplyDeleteI hope you win! :)
That salad looks too good to eat! Thanks for linking up to Britain's Got Salad! xx
ReplyDeleteamazing recipe! thanx
ReplyDeleteKate
Saving Mummys Money
http://www.Savvymummys.co.uk
please come and pack my lunch - I love your salads and could eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner - this one looks just gorgeous
ReplyDelete