Spinach, Asparagus and Strawberry Salad - Feast Your Eyes

by Lindsay Damast, Posted Apr 8th 2010 @ 10:00AM

By the time the first sunny spring days arrive to warm our winter-weary bones, cold-weather crops are ripe for the picking, reminding us that plant life persists despite the frost. Of all the seasonal spring produce, slender, tender asparagus holds first place in our hearts, thanks to its earthy, vibrant greenness and a get-it-while-you-can short harvesting season.

Though they aren't the centerpiece of this salad, blogger The Dabble layers asparagus shoots along with strawberries atop spinach -- also lovely in this season -- modeling her recipe after a favorite dish from a wedding reception. While asparagus crops wane, strawberry patches continue to ripen, producing the sort of plump, red berries that seem to define summer -- so make the most of this narrow window during which all three ingredients are lush with color and optimally tasty.

While fancy enough for a black-tie affair, this simple salad would add brightness to nearly any occasion and requires little cooking (just a short tending to those asparagus), which becomes increasingly desirable as the days grow hotter. This recipe incorporates salty feta to balance out the tangy, sweet strawberries and bitter walnuts, but the author thinks blue cheese or goat cheese would work just as nicely, depending on your taste preferences.

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot of having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.

Filed Under: Feast Your Eyes
Tags: asparagus, salad recipe, spinach salad with strawberries, spinach strawberry salad, strawberry salad, The Dabble