Artichokes, Asparagus, and Watercress Salad with Cumin Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

FOR THE SALAD:
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 (12-ounce) can artichoke hearts in water, drained and halved
1 tomato, cored and chopped
1 bunch watercress, tough stems removed


DIRECTIONS

To prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar mustard, cumin, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Whisk to blend. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, mixing until the vinaigrette is emulsified. Set aside.

To prepare the salad: Fill a medium bowl with 2 cups of ice cubes and cover with cold water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and blanch until tender but not mushy, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus in a colander and transfer to the ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain again and place on a paper towel-lined plate to dry. Cut the asparagus stalks into thirds.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched asparagus, parsley, artichokes, tomatoes, and watercress. Whisk the vinaigrette to combine and pour over the salad. Toss to coat and serve.

Raw Asparagus Salad

Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Time to table: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Salad greens for four

1 pound thin spears of fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons good olive oil (1 tablespoon if you're not dressing greens, too)
1 tablespoon good balsamic vinegar
Zest of a lemon, preferably in strips (vs fluffy stuff from a Microplane), reserving a few strips for garnish, if desired
Salt & pepper to taste

Wash and tear the greens. Spin dry (do you use a salad spinner? I love mine!) or tamp gently with paper towels. (Why do we want dry greens? So the dressing will adhere evenly.)

Wash the asparagus well, especially the tips where grit can accumulate. After washing, place on a double layer of paper towels to siphon off water. (This is so the oil/vinegar dressing can adhere.) Snap off the woody ends and discard. Line up the tips of as many asparagus as you can manage, cut off the tips. (Use these in the salad itself or save for something else where the tips are so coveted.) Cut the asparagus in tiny bits, maybe 1/8 or 1/4 inch lengths.

Whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper, lemon zest (don't forget to reserve a few for garnish). Stir in the asparagus. Toss the asparagus with the greens. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Per Serving: 89 Cal (64% from Fat, 12% from Protein, 24% from Carb); 3 g Protein; 7 g Tot Fat; 1 g Sat Fat; 6 g Carb; 3 g Fiber; NetCarb3; 40 mg Calcium; 3 mg Iron; 8 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 1 point

KITCHEN NOTES
It's likely that an over-the-top-good raw asparagus salad is dependent on the right collection of ingredients: very fresh tiny-thin spears of asparagus, great olive oil, great balsamic vinegar. To my taste, as well, the lemon zest is essential.
The asparagus bits do tend to drop to the bottom of the salad bowl so if presentation is important, think about dressing the greens separately, arranging on plates and then topping each plate with the raw asparagus -- and a few strips of lemon zest, for extra prettiness!
UPDATE Try adding some sliced strawberries and going heavy on the pepper: double gorgeous!