 My beautiful daughter is coming to visit tomorrow and I wanted to create something fresh and delicious to celebrate our get together, which will be the first time we have seen each other since the changing of the seasons to Spring. We plan to drop in to Floriade in the morning and then back to my place for a bite to eat. With new season strawberries and asparagus in plentiful supply, this simple dish of asparagus and strawberries as a salad looks special, tastes exquisite, and fits the bill perfectly for our Sunday luncheon. New season strawberries are delicious and in plentiful supply... as is asparagus... Look for bright, firm spears with closed compact tips... The recipe... ASPARAGUS WITH STRAWBERRIES ... AS A SALAD 350g baby asparagus 160g strawberries Wash the asparagus and gently pat the spears dry with paper towelling, trim the ends only if needed (snap off with your fingers). Wash the strawberries, pat them dry with paper towelling, then remove the hulls and slice the fruit into small segments. To cook the asparagus, place it into a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over a medium heat and remove from the stove as soon as the water is simmering. Drain immediately and refresh with cold water (to stop the cooking and keep the spears vibrant green). Arrange the asparagus on serving plates, scatter the strawberry segments over the top. Dress and serve immediately. Serves two as a light lunch or side. For the dressing: 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar* 2 tablespoons fruity extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper Combine the ingredients for the dressing, whisk together and pour over the asparagus and strawberries just before serving. *Use strawberry or other fruit vinegar if that's what you have at hand. Champagne, wine and strawberry vinegar is also quite lovely. +My recipe was inspired by a dish in Cooking with Asparagus by Lena Raab (Du Monte 2001). The process in pictures... Arrange on serving plates... Dress, serve and enjoy... You might also like...
A note of thanks to Australian Asparagus, who delivered some asparagus fresh to my front door yesterday. I'm told that this season's asparagus may not look as bright green as usual due to the cold conditions in early Spring. Also, the strong winds we've been experiencing lately may cause minute particles of sand or grit to cause tiny wounds in the delicate skin of the spears. However, this won't affect the fresh, nutty flavour. Make sure you pop some into your market basket next time you go shopping.  Tell me, do you love asparagus and strawberries as much as I do? What's your favourite way of preparing them?
46 Comments
Beautiful! Your step by step photo essays are so clear and beautifully done. They make it all look so simple. This salad looks wonderful. I bet the raspberry vinegar is wonderful with the asparagus and strawberries, and I am certain your daughter will enjoy it. Enjoy your visit!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:24:31 pm
Adri, thank you so much... the raspberry vinegar is just divine with this... not much needed either : ) 14/9/2013 01:15:13 pm
Wow, this is one combination I've never thought about before, it sounds most delicious! I love asparagus season :)
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:24:55 pm
Hi Lisa, so good to see you on Twitter! This is a great combination and I love asparagus season too xo
Eha
14/9/2013 01:39:30 pm
So love both asparagus and strawberries but have never put them together in a salad: surely shall try! Since I normally steam asparagus I'll also try your method of bringing to the boil and immediately refreshing: should give the same crunchy fresh consistency. Have a warm and happy time with your daughter: hope the coming rain won't have reached you!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:25:33 pm
Hello Eha, I hope you are feeling better??? Steaming asparagus is great too. The weather has been up and down, heater is on today : ( 14/9/2013 04:55:42 pm
What a coincidence, I just bought two bunches of asparagus!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:25:48 pm
Hello GG, well there you go... was meant to be : ) 14/9/2013 06:41:18 pm
This looks so bright, fresh and delicious Lizzy! I hope you enjoy this meal with your daughter, and Floriade! My favourite way to prepare asparagus lately is to stir fry it or steam it very quickly and serve it simply with salt, pepper and some olive oil or butter. It is magic stuff isn't it?
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:26:14 pm
Isn't it lovely, Jane... your favourite ways with asparagus sound just perfect! : ) 14/9/2013 07:23:29 pm
I would never have thought of this pairing - delightful! The UK asparagus and strawberry season don't coincide but are near enough that when early summer comes I will remember this. Btw, I have an easy raspberry vinegar recipe on my site if anyone can't find some in the shops.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:26:45 pm
Ooooh, that's good to know Kellie.... friends, check out the recipe for raspberry vinegar on Kelli's Food to Glow site! 14/9/2013 08:58:38 pm
wow! i'd never think of strawberries with asparagus. my mind is whizzing.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:27:04 pm
Hello there... oh yes, please do try this : ) 15/9/2013 03:50:24 am
I must admit that I've never tried the two together but I can totally see this working! :D
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:27:19 pm
Thanks Lorraine, I hope you might try this : ) 15/9/2013 04:46:18 am
I love roasting strawberries and adding them to salads (wonderful with balsamic vinegar). Haven't tried them with asparagus, however. Terrific idea! I'll save these for next spring. Thanks.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:27:46 pm
John, roasting strawberries sounds divine! That's one I have not tried. Isn't it great sharing culinary ideas : )
cquek
15/9/2013 05:07:26 am
asparagus and strawberries... must try that..
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:27:55 pm
Absolutely : )
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:28:29 pm
El, thank you... as I write this response, the heater is on and it's a cold, windy and cloudy day outside. We will get there eventually : )
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:28:53 pm
Oh Krista, I am in awe that you are growing asparagus! How totally delicious! 16/9/2013 02:59:14 am
A gorgeous combo and one I never thought to combine. Thank you for something to look forward to next Spring (almost Autumn here) and for a terrific vinaigrette recipe, too. That one I'll be enjoying all year!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:29:12 pm
Kim, welcome to Good Things and thank you for your kind words : ) 16/9/2013 06:07:52 am
What a clever salad, Liz and perfect for celebrating your daughter's visit. I'd love to see my daughter and share a salad this pretty!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:29:35 pm
Thank you Maureen, it is pretty, isn't it. Hope you are on the mend, my friend xo I looked at the beautiful photo of the salad and my immediate association was: spring! (We are heading towards big bad winter however!) Such a perfect spring dish and what a joyous (not ot mention yummy) offering for a celebratory get together with your daughter. Hope you had a wonderful time!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:29:59 pm
Thanks Azita... I am sooooo looking forward to some warmth.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:30:12 pm
Thanks so much, GG : ) 17/9/2013 05:36:26 pm
Beautiful spring salad, I love the contrasting colors!
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:30:25 pm
Me too, Laura, so pretty, no? 18/9/2013 04:47:57 am
We're just heading into fall and asparagus season is but a memory away. I love the combo of the strawberries and the asparagus, very unique but the thing that drew me in was the colour, simply gorgeous! Hope your visit with your daughter was lovely; I do miss my Mother dearly.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 04:30:51 pm
Thank you Eva... I miss my mother too. Mother daughter time is just so precious, don't you agree? xo 18/9/2013 05:54:24 pm
I hope you enjoyed your time together and this beautiful,colourful salad.
Lizzy
18/9/2013 07:05:09 pm
Thanks Catherine! It tasted divine too : ) 19/9/2013 06:36:56 pm
Dear Lizzy,
Lizzy
20/9/2013 07:57:10 pm
Dear Chopinand, well hello there stranger! Thank you for your very kind words. This is a lovely salad! 20/9/2013 08:22:24 am
I never would have thought to combine asparagus and strawberries. What a beautiful dish and your photos are fantastic.
Lizzy
20/9/2013 07:57:25 pm
Karen, thank you, so very kind : ) 2/10/2013 06:49:27 am
Wow, how unusual! What inspired you to combine these two fabulous ingredients together? I love unusual salads, I've got a vegetarian indian inspired masala potato and beet one on my site, I'd love you to have a look. I can't wait to try your recipe xx
Lizzy
2/10/2013 06:16:32 pm
Deena, thank you for your kind words. I had fresh new season asparagus and some beautiful strawberries.... a recipe in a book inspired this one, but the original recipe was very fussy... I wanted something plain and simple... and yummy! : )
Lizzy
19/10/2013 03:36:44 pm
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Photo Jay Cranon, The Canberra Times
Hello. I'm Liz, a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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