We can’t seem to get enough of asparagus around here! Where we live, it’s our first local crop that bursts outta nowhere and carries us into Summer’s beautiful bounty!
Pete and I love it steamed and roasted, but this year we tried throwing it raw into our salads. And it’s delightful. Asparagus is super high in vitamins and minerals (like vitamin K and vitamin A) so why not try to sneak it in to more meals.
We like to eat a lot of salads at our house, and we like to switch up our salads as often as possible. We do tend to get tired of the same ingredients – and we try to mix up the greens we use too.
Pete is a fan of crunchy salads so I whipped this up for him one night and we both loved it (I can even get the kids to have some of the ingredients!). The salad dressing recipe is super easy to make and goes well on just about any salad. You know how I like my homemade salad dressings!
Easy Peasy Crunchy Chopped Salad
4 stalks of raw asparagus, chopped into bite-sized pieces
3 large leaves of romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups mixed greens
½ cup sprouts
½ cup cabbage, chopped
½ cup carrots or celery, chopped
¼ cup hemp hearts
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
optional roasted chick peas from the Balanced PlatterDressing
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
1 clove finely chopped garlic
6 drops of stevia (I love NuNaturals)
salt and pepper to tasteWash and dry all greens and veggies as usual. Place asparagus, romaine, mixed greens, sprouts, cabbage, and carrots in a large bowl.
Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar (with a lid) and toss into salad. Sprinkle with hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, and chick peas, gently toss again. Serve immediately. I like to reserve some seeds, sprouts, and colorful veggies to sprinkle on top of my tossed salads, especially when serving to guests.
Yield: 2 dinner sized salads
How do you switch up your usual salad?
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Gotta love those roasted chickpeas, huh?
Totally addicted to them Hallie! I’ve been thinking of coming up with my own flavor combo, but why reinvent the wheel
Thank you for what looks like a simple and great additional to our salad life. I am especially excited about that link to roasted chickpeas. Definitely pinning this one to spread the word.
You’re welcome Megan! You will love the chick peas! Thanks for spreading the word.
Love hemp hearts on salad. And asparagus season seems so fleeting, it’s great to use it in every imaginable way possible. Great-looking salad!
Thanks Alta! I agree, you have to eat and use asparagus while it’s local. It’s just not the same out of season!
Chickpes
Salad looks really delicious.
Thanks Minnie
yum! that looks so good! i love a good, crunchy salad! thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Caralyn! Enjoy!
I love to add a bit of sweetness with a chopped up granny smith apple and a bit of crunch with some walnuts, works in almost any salad!
Your salad looks delicious!
Nicole <3
Oooh Foods For Beauty I like the granny smith idea! Walnuts are another of my fave salad ingredients. They’re meant for each other
That looks really good! Will have to try it. I sent a big bowl of chopped salad to work with Bob last week for a team potluck. After he left I realized I should have kept a small bowl out for me.
Thanks Rogene! I always try to make extra salad, it’s just too easy when it’s sitting in the fridge waiting for you!
Yummers! This year we’ve been eating ours roasted in olive oil, a splash of balsamic and some salt and pepper. Love it but we’ll have to try it raw now too.
That sounds really good Annie! We’ll have to try that recipe. xo
I discovered this almost by accident….adding some kind of fruit to my green, crunchy salad. One time it was fresh strawberries, another time mandarin sections. I have also tried it with chunks of pineapple and usually add some sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Gets comments everytime, but often the guest does not hone in on the change in the whole flavor that the added fruit makes. Very versatile.
Hi Donna – I LOVE fruit in my salad too. We go to a restaurant that makes a delish salad with blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. It’s so good, you don’t even need any dressing
Yum! Yum! and YUM!! Oh, I so want this salad right now! I love your ideas, Maggie! Looks amazing!
xo
Thanks Kim! Don’t you love it when someone makes YOU a salad? I would do it for you if I could
xo
YUM! I love asparagus and so does Chaz. I think we’re the same, always looking for a way to change up our salads.
Giving this one a try soonly!
Yay Debi! Let me know how you guys like it.
I want to live next door to you, Maggie, so you can make all these wonderful salads and salad dressings for me. Seriously.
I’ve never eaten raw asparagus. Intrigued. Crunchy in salads is always good IMHO. 
xo,
Shirley
I would do that Shirley
I can never get enough salad! One thing I’m always trying to change up is the dressing, for sure. I get pretty sick of the same salad dressings over and over again, so coming up with new combinations always makes it more interesting. Thanks for the recipe!
Great idea – I’ve never even thought to trial it raw!
Thanks Alisa!
Hi Maggie! This recipe sounds healthy. I cant wait to try these. I love your ideas. Thanks for this info!
Thanks Nancy