Spring Confetti Salad
/Ahhhh, seeing spring produce start to pop up in stores is one of my favorite times of year.
To me, it signifies the end of squash eating + brussels sprouts and the beginning of so many of my favorite foods coming into season one after the other.
I have to admit, my patience for strawberries is wearing thin (always). Anyone else? They're just not quite there yet.
I've been on a major salad kick lately and whenever that happens (definitely not always) I embrace it. I mean, why wouldn't you?
I'm also on a big feta kick. It's ah-mazing in salads. I promise you. Especially if you massage it into your greens. Mmmhm. Those greens love some massage action.
I wasn't sure what to name this recipe but as soon as I took a look at the photos I was like, duh, CONFETTI.
I think it was the thin strands of red cabbage that did it.
The dressing couldn't be simpler. You basically massage in olive oil (high quality!) and lemon juice and then the feta and add more until you're happy with the taste. Easy enough, right?
I actually made this salad on a whim to use up a bunch of ingredients I had in the fridge. And then once I tasted it I knew it needed to be recreated.
Spring Confetti Salad
gluten-free
- 1/2 tablespoon ghee or avocado oil
- 1 bunch (about 3/4lb) asparagus, ends trimmed
- 3 tablespoons diced shallot
- 3-4 handfuls mixed baby greens (I like using an arugula blend)
- 2 stalks curly kale, torn from the stems + chopped
- 2 cups finely shredded red cabbage
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 watermelon radishes, thinly sliced (or red radishes)
- 3/4 cup chickpeas, rinsed + drained
- 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
- 4oz sheep or goat's milk feta cheese
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup roasted salted pistachios
- salt + pepper
Place a large saute pan over medium heat with the ghee or oil. Chop asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Add to the pan once hot and cook until almost tender and starting to brown. Stir frequently. Add the shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and asparagus is just tender. 2-3 minutes. Spread on a large plate and set in the fridge to chill. About 10-15 minutes.
Place baby greens in a large bowl. Chop your kale and add that along with the shredded cabbage to the bowl. Add the oil and massage into the greens. Toss in the radishes, chickpeas, olives, chilled asparagus, and a hefty grind of black pepper. Add about 3oz of the feta and the lemon juice and toss/massage into the salad.
Empty onto a large platter or individual bowls and top with pistachios, a sprinkle of feta, salt, pepper, and a lemon wedge.
Time to get your spring crunch on.
Ashley