Spring Green Salad: A Fresh Seasonal Celebration
A vibrant spring salad celebrating seasonal produce with blanched asparagus, sweet peas, and a zesty basil-lemon dressing. Crisp textures, creamy avocado, and crunchy nuts create a harmonious, nourishing dish perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Blanching
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Asparagus (tender parts) – 1 bunch, chopped into 1-inch pieces (substitute with sugar snap peas)
Frozen peas – 1/2 cup, thawed (or fresh peas if available)
Salad greens – A few handfuls (spinach, arugula, or mixed greens)
Radishes – 2, thinly sliced
Feta cheese – 1/2 cup, crumbled (or goat cheese)
Avocado – 1/2, pitted and diced
Pistachios – 1/4 cup, chopped and toasted (or almonds/walnuts)
Roasted chickpeas – 1/2 cup
Fresh herbs (for garnish) – For garnish (basil, mint, and/or chives)
Sea salt and pepper – To taste
Fresh basil leaves – 1/4 cup (or a mix of basil and mint for the dressing)
Garlic clove – 1 small
Fresh lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
Instructions
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and prepare an ice water bath.
Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to the ice water to stop cooking. Drain well.
In a large bowl, combine asparagus, thawed peas, salad greens, sliced radishes, diced avocado, chickpeas, and nuts.
Crumble feta cheese over the top and toss gently.
In a small blender or food processor, combine basil leaves, garlic clove, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Blanching the asparagus preserves its color and texture.
If using frozen peas, thaw thoroughly before adding to the salad.
Roasted chickpeas can be prepared in advance by tossing with olive oil and spices, then baking at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg