Chopped Asparagus Greek Salad (Printable Version)

Crunchy asparagus with greens, chickpeas, feta and bright lemon dressing for a light, flavorful spring dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Salad

01 - 115 g asparagus, trimmed and cut into 5 cm pieces
02 - 3 cups mixed salad greens
03 - 425 g canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
04 - 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
05 - 2 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
06 - 80 g red onion, finely diced
07 - 80 g kalamata olives, pitted
08 - 55 g feta cheese, crumbled

→ Greek Lemon Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - Juice of ½ lemon
11 - 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 0.25 teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
13 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

# Steps:

01 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus pieces and cook for 2 minutes. Remove promptly with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of ice water to halt cooking. Once cooled, drain thoroughly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add mixed greens, blanched asparagus, chickpeas, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to ensure even distribution. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper to taste.

# Notes:

01 - To preserve the asparagus’s crisp texture, immerse immediately in ice water after blanching.
02 - For a robust main course, incorporate protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, or tuna.
03 - Serve as a vibrant accompaniment to springtime mains or holiday meals.