Cook's Illustrated

Easy Asparagus Salads

Published May 1, 2003.

A quick sauté is the first step in creating salads with bold flavors and tender-crisp texture.

The Problem

Either bland or overseasoned, mushy or nearly raw, this first-course tease can prove to be an unsatisfying encounter.

The Goal

Recipes for asparagus salad that combine good taste with good looks.

The Solution

Quickly sauté and brown the asparagus over high heat to enrich flavor, and add bold flavors for a zesty dressing. Add nuts, beans, cheese, or hard-cooked eggs to make the salads more substantial as well as flavorful.

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