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Shaved asparagus and sweet corn pair perfectly in this fresh salad. The bright lemon dressing ties it all together.
Spring, to me, has "officially" arrived when asparagus can be found at the market for less than $2 per pound and fresh corn (though not local) is not only a great price but is sweet and tender with tiny, pale white and yellow kernels that seem to burst with flavor and freshness. It's that time and this Shaved Asparagus and Sweet Corn Salad is bursting with Spring flavor!
I found both recently on my weekly trip to Aldi and was both thrilled and inspired. I decided to shave the asparagus which is a delicious way to enjoy raw asparagus. Fresh corn adds a lovely crunch and does not need to be cooked when used in a salad like this, so it was fun and easy to put together.
It does take a bit of time to shave the asparagus but this can be done ahead and kept, refrigerated, in a bowl of ice water for 6-8 hours, making this a perfect dish to make ahead for guests.
I added dried cranberries for a bit of delicious sweetness and thin ribbons of red onions for a burst of zesty flavor.
P.S. I use a vegetable peeler to shave my asparagus.
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Shaved Asparagus & Sweet Corn Salad w/ Fresh Lemon Dressing
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the salad
- 1 bunch asparagus, shaved into thin ribbons with a sharp vegetable peeler*
- 3 cobs fresh corn, corn removed from husks**
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced with a sharp knife
- Ingredients for the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons neutral flavored oil, ie canola or sunflower
- 1 teaspoon honey
- sea salt, a pinch
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- For the dressing, combine oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl, mix well with a fork or small whisk.
- Combine shaved asparagus and thinly sliced red onion in a medium size bowl filled with ice water. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes or up to 8 hours (refrigerated). When ready to serve, drain well and spread out on a clean kitchen towel to dry.
- Combine asparagus/onion mixture with corn and dried cranberries and cilantro leaves. Add dressing to coat and toss well to combine.
- Salad can be made 2-3 hours ahead or served immediately. Since there's no lettuce involved to wilt, it's delicious the next day as the flavors will have melded. The asparagus won't be as curled (from the stint in ice water) and pretty, but it still looks fresh and tastes fabulous!
Notes
~ ** You might be wondering if I forgot to tell you how to cook the corn. When corn is tender and fresh, it doesn't need any cooking when used in recipes like salads and salsas. It adds a delightful sweet crunch and is full of flavor.
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This lovely salad is great year round. I often find myself enjoying it with the holidays. It is delicious and so flavorful. Thank you for this incredible recipe.
Thank you for the review, Stacey!
Thank you so much for linking to our shaving asparagus tutorial, Chris! This salad looks so beautiful!
I made this last night and almost licked the plate. Added chicken and used dried apricots rather than dried cherries. I pinned this on Pinterest and added this note - It's in your genes whether or not you think cilantro tastes like soap (I don't) so you might leave that out and only have it in a bowl on the side as a garnish for those who like.
Your salad sounds wonderful!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leavve a comment, I always love that! Good idea about the cilantro too! 🙂
The link to the tutorial doesn't work 🙁
Thanks so much, I think we've got it straightened out!
You make the best salads! How come the ones I make never look or are this good? I need to come to your house 🙂
I'm thinking now I know how to use this asparagus I just bought. I was just going to use it in my pasta-love your salad inspiration, Chris!
I have asparagus in the fridge now. And also the rest of the component for this salad! Guess I know what I'll be enjoying for dinner tonight!
This salad has some of my favorite flavors--so perfect for spring!
Such a lovely spring salad! I have never shaved asparagus but what a great idea to incorporate it into salads by using a veggie peeler, can't wait to try it.
I love shaved veggie salads! And asparagus is perfect when shaved - such great flavor, such a nice salad. You did a particularly terrific job with yours - looks so good, and I love the inclusion of the corn. Really nice - thanks.
I have been roasting asparagus like crazy over here 🙂 I have never tried shaving it like this, such a great idea.
Another beautiful salad Chris! I love the look of that pizza too. You're right, sometimes little things that take a little bit more effort, like peeling the asparagus are well worth it!
My mouth is watering! I'd definitely enjoy this one straight up, on toast and on your amazing pizza. Need to add asparagus to my grocery list!
Wow this is sooooooo beautiful- stunning and sounds soooo fresh and healthy! Really beautiful work, wish I could lick the screen and taste this!
This is such a beautiful spring salad! Love the flavors you added to it!
Lovely salad!!! We love to make our own dressing. They are so easy and quick.. No more of that bottled stuff for us!!!
Lovely salad!!! We love to make our own dressing. They are so easy and quick.. No more of that bottled stuff for us!!!
Beautiful salad. I love asparagus. Must give this a try.
Gorgeous! This is definitely a must-try in my book!
What a delicious healthy salad!Love its vibrant colors!
kisses,dear Chris!
Another beautiful salad Chris, it looks so fresh and lovely. The lemon dressing sounds refreshing and springy, looking forward to seeing the pizza recipe.
What a gorgeous looking salad...sounds so refreshing with a lemon dressing. I love cilantro and with such distinct flavors I wouldn't have thought to pair it with asparagus. I can't wait to try this...thanks for sharing, Chris.
This dish just says spring! So pretty and colorful and the simple dressing sounds terrific! I love dried cranberries in a salad, they give it that little extra pop. Have a great weekend!
Is that spring on a plate or what! It look amazing, Chris. Just so you know, I'm very jealous of the farmer's market you have over there. I've been to it a couple of times and it's amazing. Nothing like our flea market-esque cave here in W-S. I think I'd live at the place if I was closer.
This is a lovely salad Chris. Shaving the asparagus is a wonderful way to serve this while maintaining the crisp freshness of the vegetable. I can't wait to read about the pizza. Nice recipe and photos.
I'm soooooooo waiting for fresh local aspargus!!! This salad looks asbolutely lovery.... And as a pizza topping, yumm!
What a beautiful, fresh salad for spring! Can't wait for your pizza recipe too :).
I have all of the ingredients and time on my hands. I m ready for some deliciousness.
Oh my how beautiful!! I love this salad, so refreshing and pretty and the pizza, mmmm, looks good!! Have a wonderful weekend!
A fantastic seasonal salad, Chris. Love the add of cranberries.
I have got to get some asparagus at the FM this weekend. I have never shaved it or had it raw in a salad. This looks delicious and can't wait for your pizza post!
Looks like a very pretty, tasty and healthy salad! We haven't had any asparagus yet this year, hopefully soon:@)
Everything that I love in a bowl. I'd be excited to have all those fresh ingredients combined together...
Otra ensalada fantastica! Muy sana y deliciosa, como solo tu sabes preparar! Un abrazo muy fuerte y que pases un día estupendo!
Chris, this looks like a wonderful recipe and makes use of the best fresh ingredients that are available at this time of year - a very creative idea to pair green asparagus and corn. The photography is amazing too - the colors are just wonderful.
P.S.: I will have to add that the fact that you mentioned "ALDI" does make me smile...
Have a lovely Friday!
Chris, this is a very unique salad - i've never had raw asparagus and corn salad before, i am intrigued! The addition of roast chicken sounds good, i am going to hunt for some nice asparagus this weekend to make this, thanks!
Fantastic colour, delicious:) Greetings
Amazing color and so fresh looking!
Awesome! And very versatile!!