Spring has sprung – and I’m enjoying spring foods like asparagus. I found a hundred-old-recipe for Asparagus Salad, and decided to give it a try. Chilled asparagus stalks and red pepper rings are arranged on a bed of lettuce. The salad was tasty, and made a lovely presentation in an old-fashioned way.
Here’s the original recipe:
In order to authentically replicate the original recipe, I suppose that I could have used canned asparagus, but somehow fresh asparagus just seemed like it would taste better, so that I what is used.
And, I skipped the French dressing that was enhanced with ketchup. It probably would be wonderful, but somehow it didn’t sound good to me.
Here’s the recipe updated for modern cooks:
Asparagus Salad
For each serving:
3 – 4 stalks asparagus
2 1/3-inch wide rings of red pepper
lettuce leaves
French salad dressing, if desired
Steam asparagus for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and chill.
To assemble salad, arrange lettuce leaves on plate. Place the chilled asparagus in the rings, and place on the lettuce leaves. If desired, serve with French salad dressing.
A Hundred Years Ago 
Sounds very easy. As for asparagus, that is a hard pass for me but my husband would jump for this one.
A very pretty salad. I would also use fresh.
I love this one. So easy and makes a pretty, colorful presentation.
Oh, we’re still maybe a month away from asparagus, but I’ll give this a whirl. Like you, I’ll pass on the dressing + ketchup!
I agree, Sheryl, it is lovely in an old fashioned way. Although I’ve been enjoying fresh asparagus these last few weeks, I had forgotten about my grandfather cutting wild asparagus for his daughter, my mother, on his rural mail route. This old-fashioned recipe reminded me of sweet days gone by. Thank you.
Yes, fresh asparagus tastes MUCH better than canned, I think. My parents grew asparagus, and yet I don’t remember ever eating it cold as a child. I do like it in salad, these days. This looks good, Sheryl!
Oh yummy!!! Photo is well done also.
Your asparagus salad is certainly beautiful. I wish I would take time to make food pretty.
That look tasty. It brings an extra added bit of cheer to have a simple and pretty food. Very nice. 🙂
Never canned. Asparagus is just coming in here and I can’t wait to get some. I do miss picking it wild.
Yum! I’m ready for some asparagus.
Sounds good to me, I would go with fresh too and add dressing but not ketchup.xxx
Lucky you – can’t wait for asparagus season but still a while away.
I just eat the leftover asparagus cold. I cook extra just so I can do that. No dressing at all.