Asparagus season has kicked off here in the UK and so I have a very tasty chargrilled asparagus salad for you today. Gorgeous chargrilled asparagus served with warm new season baby potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, crisp radishes, nutty manchego cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette. Chargrilling the asparagus gives it a lovely nutty and sweet flavour, you really don't need to do much else to it as the flavour is so delicious and you really don't want to overwhelm that deliciousness with anything too strong. This is my favourite way to enjoy asparagus at the moment, and this salad went down really well with the whole family.
This meal comes together really quickly with little effort, it would be perfect as a light dinner or great as a nice weekend lunch. The manchego cheese is perfect with the nutty chargrilled asparagus but you could swap in parmesan cheese if you prefer. You could also quite easily make this dish vegan by leaving out the eggs, choosing a vegan hard cheese and omitting the honey from the dressing. You could also make this more of a meal by serving it with some grilled fish or chicken, you may want to omit the eggs if you do, but that's totally up to you. The chargrilled asparagus is also great on its own, as a side with a little sea salt and a squeeze of lemon, can you tell how much I love this asparagus? The balsamic vinaigrette is light but has a little kick, you will probably have some leftover if you do keep it in a jar in the fridge, use it for salads, and it will keep for up to a week
If you are living in the UK you may notice that your asparagus is not as straight as what you are used to, you might find it is a little bit wonky, well apparently this is due to the warm early Spring we have been enjoying. But don't let this put you off, it still tastes just as good and some supermarkets are selling this at reduced prices, so good news for savvy shoppers.
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Chargrilled Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 300 g new season baby potatoes cut in half lengthways
- 4 large free range-eggs
- 350 g asparagus
- 30 g manchego cheese
- 50 g radishes sliced thinly
- 3 medium spring onions sliced
- 1 tbs olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon (optional)
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE
- 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 25 ml balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon runny honey
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes, when they are cooked drain them and leave in the saucepan with the lid on to keep them warm.
- Boil the eggs to your own preference, I went for hard boiled but soft boiled would be good too. When the eggs are cooked, peel and cut in half lengthways.
- Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and shave off any knobbly bits then brush with the olive oil.
- Heat a griddle pan on high, place the asparagus on the griddle and cook each side for about 5 minutes, this will depend on the thickness of the asparagus spears, the thicker they are the longer they will need to cook.
- To make the vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar into the extra virgin olive oil then whisk in the honey and seasoning. Set aside until you are ready to serve.
- To serve place the asparagus on the potatoes, add the radishes, eggs and spring onions. Add the chargrilled asparagus and top with generous shavings of manchego cheese then serve with the balsamic vinaigrette and a squeeze of lemon if you like.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Yum, that salad looks fabulous, especially with the eggs and asparagus! Can't wait to try it.
Michelle Alston
Thanks Elaine, I hope you enjoy it x
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
This salad is just beautiful! I love your photos and photography style! 🙂
Michelle Alston
Thank you so much Dominique, that's very kind of you 🙂
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival
I could totally eat this salad right off of my computer screen! Yum! Our asparagus is almost ready here. I can't wait!
Michelle Alston
Thanks Beth x Our asparagus was early this year and even then I couldn't wait 😉
Kristina @ Love & Zest
Stunning pictures! What a delicious looking dish!
Michelle Alston
Thank you so much Kristina 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Oh my...what a great looking salad. This is a meal on it's own. Perfect for grilling season, and a true crowd pleaser with the stunning presentation.
Michelle Alston
Thank you so much Gloria 🙂
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
The Manchego and asparagus sound wonderful together. I love the subtle splash of pink that radish gives along with that little kick of pepperiness. Lovely.
Michelle Alston
Thank you so much Lucy 🙂
Deanna
This looks amazing!! YUM!!! I love anything balsamic!
Michelle Alston
Thanks Deanna 🙂