Asparagus-Strawberry Salad With Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette

Asparagus-Strawberry Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is spring on plate!

Colorful and flavorful, with fresh spring asparagus and strawberries

in season and pretty enough to serve company! We enjoyed this salad for Easter along side our Easter ham! 

Start by washing and trimming your asparagus. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place in a preheated 400 degree oven and roast for approximated 10 minutes or until tender, depending on size and thickness of spears.

Transfer roasted asparagus spears to a plate to cool or refrigerate until ready to assemble salad.

For Sugared Pecans:

• Combine sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl; set aside. Whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon water together in a bowl until foamy.

• Add pecans, stirring to coat. Add sugar mixture to pecans, stirring until evenly coated. Place on foil-lined baking sheet with sprayed with nonstick spray. Place pecans in a single layer and bake at 300° for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

• Spread immediately in a single layer on wax paper; cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Note: If you’re short on time, purchase candied / sugared pecans from the grocery store.

To make dressing add ingredients to a mason jar and shake together. Store in fridge until ready to serve salad:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about ½ of an orange)
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons sugar or honey
• Salt & pepper to taste

To assemble salad, arrange the roasted asparagus on serving platter. Place sliced strawberries evenly over the asparagus, top with the crumbled bacon, and pecans. Garnish with orange zest if desired. Drizzle with the dressing right before serving.

Adjust quantity of ingredients in the salad to your taste. Depending on what you're serving this salad with, it will serve 6 - 8.

Find a round-up of 20+ recipes for Spring or Easter with make-ahead sides, salads and desserts,  HERE.