Asparagus Chopped Salad

Name: Asparagus Chopped Salad
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients: 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons canola oil; 2 pocketless pitas, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 16 medium spears asparagus, trimmed; 6 ounces mesclun greens; 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved; 1/2 pound aged white cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch dice; 1 English cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch dice; 1/2 cup pitted and coarsely chopped kalamata olives; 1 cup drained canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained again; Meyer Lemon Dressing (recipe follows); 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest; 1/4 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice, or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice plus 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 heaping tablespoon whole grain mustard; 2 teaspoons honey; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; (makes about 3/4 cup)

December 14, 2011

The joy of a chopped salad is that there is no need to compose each forkful to make sure you have the perfect bite—every uniformly sized morsel is already tossed and mixed together for a whole plate full of perfect bites. Green, almost grassy in flavor, asparagus is one of spring’s delights. Grilling enhances its flavor and imparts a pleasant bit of char to the salad. Briny olives, sharp cheddar cheese, and tender chickpeas add substance to the mix, while crispy bits of fried pita bread lend a salty crunch and additional texture. (We make our own pita chips at the restaurant, and the directions to do so are here, but you could certainly skip this step and use crumbles of your favorite bagged pita chips instead.) Slightly sweet, slightly tart, definitely delicious, this Meyer lemon dressing pops with whole grain mustard, lemon zest, and honey.

Recipe notes

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.