Summer is for salads and this Fresh Cherry and Asparagus Salad is a star.
I think if I were to compare this salad to a celebrity she’d be a diva. And it’s not just the salad – the dressing wants to be noticed too. In fact I almost titled my post Drinkable Poppy Seed Dressing because I seriously could have sipped down that whole jar of dressing… it’s that good.
Clearly I haven’t been eating enough salads in these summer months because after these photos were snapped I inhaled that whole platter. I transferred the salad to a bowl for less mess while eating. Not just any bowl but a mixing bowl bigger than my head! And I happily ate it all and felt supremely satisfied afterwards.
When I eat a salad for dinner it helps to have cooked some part of the meal. It’s a mind trick I guess. So I tossed my fresh asparagus and walnuts in a pan and seared/toasted them for a few minutes. You’ll appreciate the added flavor this provides so don’t skip the searing.
As for this dressing it can at least be considered low fat. It’s not low in sugar but that’s what makes it so luscious. Just five ingredients (counting everything) are all that’s needed for poppy seed dressing bliss: sour cream, brown sugar, lemon juice, poppy seeds and salt. So simple for such a satisfying taste experience.
Tell me because I really want to know: what’s your favorite salad to eat in the summer? I hope you have a few and I know you’ll want to add this salad to your list!
PIN THIS RECIPE
Fresh Cherry and Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups spring lettuce mix
- 16 asparagus spears tough ends removed
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- cooking spray
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add the asparagus spears and whole walnuts. Cook, tossing occasionally until asparagus is starting to brown, 5 - 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a small jar, whisk together the sour cream, brown sugar, lemon juice, poppy seeds and salt.
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked asparagus and walnuts, cherries and feta cheese with the spring mix lettuce. Top with the dressing. I had some dressing leftover for another day.
Check out these other terrific salads too:
Copycat Lou Malnati’s Salad
Sugared Walnut Grape Salad
Grilled Steak Salad with Pineapple Viniagrette
theviewfromGreatIsland says
Oh wow, this couldn’t get any better — love the creativity of the whole thing!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much 🙂
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I love everything about this, so fresh and summery, I’d never thought of putting cherries in a salad, but I can see it is an amazing idea.
foodtasticmom says
Thanks very much Helen!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
Oh, look at all those beautiful colors! It’s not every day that I drool over a salad. 🙂
foodtasticmom says
So glad I could make you drool over a salad 🙂 Thanks Olivia!
Holly Sander says
So many of my favorite things in this yummy salad! Can’t wait to try it!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Holly let me know what you think!
Natalia says
Do you think that green beans would be ok? Instead of asparagus?
Kathleen says
OMG I am drooling just reading this. We just picked up two gorgeous bunches of fresh asparagus and am on my way back for the fresh cherries (which they had) and spring salad and am SO making this!!! Thanks for the recipe and keep up the great work!
foodtasticmom says
I love hearing this. Thanks so much Kathleen… enjoy the salad!