There’s something wonderfully exciting about seeing a recipe that completely changes the way you think about food. This doesn’t mean that the dish has been deconstructed nor has it gone through a molecular-gastronomical transformation. What I’m talking about are modifications to a recipe that give you a new perspective on what that dish can be.
This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I turn into an excited little boy. I read quite a few food blogs and it tends to be where I get my inspiration from. A few weeks ago, stumbling around my favorite sites, I came across a recipe on Sassy Radish (cute name, right) for Asparagus Caesar Salad.
At first glance, I expected this to be a lettuce-based salad with some chopped up asparagus on top. But as I read through the recipe, I realized this was something different. No greens, no croutons. Just the raw asparagus, peeled into ribbons, tossed with a classic Caesar dressing.
Olga, the author/photographer of Sassy Radish and recipe developer-extraordinaire, has created a magnificent dish. Served alongside a piece of grilled fish and some fresh corn, you have the ultimate summer meal. And, I’m begging you… don’t leave out the anchovies. It’s the umami that brings all of the ingredients in this salad together and gives it such glorious depth.
If, however, you are completely freaked out by the idea of having to chop up the little fillets, you can use a little Worcestershire sauce , but I think it’s better to go for the real deal.
Lastly, I wanted to let everyone know that the Nudie Foodies Cookbook is now available for purchase! “The Nudie Foodies features 18 knockout recipes and full-color photos of the delectable and scantily-clad food bloggers who created them. Best of all, when you purchase this book, 100% of the net profits are donated to AmeriCares relief efforts in Japan post-earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe.”
I’m thrilled to share that I took part in this project, contributing both a picture and a recipe. You can purchase the book from Blurb.
Asparagus Caesar Salad
(from Sassy Radish)
Ingredients
1 pound asparagus, trimmed
3 anchovies, minced into a paste
1 large garlic clove, minced into a paste
2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Juice 1 lemon
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Chili flakes (optional)
Preparation
Holding the tip of your asparagus, use a vegetable peeler (y-shaped is best) to create ribbons of asparagus. Place ribbons in a large salad bowl and combine them with the asparagus tips that will remain behind.
In a small bowl, stir together the anchovies, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, and lemon juice to emulsify. Pour the dressing over the asparagus and toss together to combine. Serve with a sprinkling of the flaky sea salt and a few turns of your pepper grinder. Sprinkle a dash of chili flakes, if you like.
Serves 2 to 4.
I never thought I would say this but I have never seen asparagus look sexier than this. This preparation is indeed perfect for summer Brian. Love it!
I agree with Eliana, this does look sexy AND delicious!
I can not wait to try this. My mouth is watering at the thought!
Just plain ol’ steamed asparagus will never cut it again. This is gorgeous and such a proper dressing for a veggie that can have a pretty short season. I can see why you love the Sassy Radish. Thanks for the intro to Olga’s site.
What a great use of asparagus and a great spin on ceasar salad!
I agree. what a lovely spin on ceazer salad. It looks gorgeous!
This is such a unique idea! I’m guilty of never really trying asparagus in nee ways, its always steamed or grilled. This looks so beautiful and delish!
Total Summer perfection … or early summer anyway. This is probably a top favorite recipe from you along with the raw beet salad.
Those ribbons of asparagus are gorgeous! … and such a great idea to pair them with caesar flavors!
I’m more freaked by having to shave the asparagus than deal with anchovies which I love. The last time I tried to shave asparagus, the stalks kept snapping. This is so tasty looking, I know I’ll have to try it.
What a great take on the Caesar salad – I love it!
I must make this before all the beautiful asparagus stalks disappear from the markets.
I do this with zucchini and absolutely love it! I can only imagine how delicious this is with asparagus but mmmm does it look great! Fab idea, Brian!
An incredible idea! My wife loves asparagus and salads so I’m sure she’ll love having this at our table one of these nights. Beautiful pictures Brian!
Man that looks good! I’ve been cooking asparagus like a mad man lately and this will be a welcome addition to the asparagus library. Can’t wait to make it!! @alanecooke
Love the idea of shaving the asparagus! Can’t believe I never thought to combine them with the flavors of a caesar salad!
Hi Brian – Beautiful salad. But I’ve found shaving asparagus really difficult. Any helpful hints?
Love the asparagus for the salad, but will definitely leave the anchovies for the hubs.
Hi Judy – I had never shaved asparagus before and only had a little difficulty. I think the only advice I have is to find thicker asparagus. You won’t get much out of the thinner stalks.
And be gentle with them
Nice twist on caesar salad Briove the shavings of the asparagus. Now I want to take out me peeler and mandoline too:).
This salad is gorgeous, and I’m sure it tastes incredible! I recently made a pizza with shaved asparagus – and it was fantastic – so I’m all about this new technique. Homemade Caesar salad dressing blows the bottled variety out of the water, and this one sounds perfect.
fabulous and great idea!
Like you I expected to see a Caesar salad with maybe some pretty asparagus tips so this is a surprise and a delightful one. And anchovies? I never see myself doing an anchovy pizza anytime soon but when used in moderation they are such an important flavor component. Great recipe; thanks for sharing with us!
yum, yum, yum, yum, yum – this dish makes me happy, happy, happy, happy, happy!
This is genius! I am loving shaved asparagus right now – but I love how you’ve fused it with a classic Caesar!
Mnnn. . . I LOVES me some Caesar salad, especially when it makes my pea smell funny!
Al igual que Ani Difranco dice: “Todo es una mierda de Napoleón”
Your photography is beautiful! Also, I adore that salad…it sounds SO delicious!
Wow this look great! I never thought of making ribbons out of asparagus!
What a wonderful way to prepare one of my favorite vegetables and my husband loves a good caesar salad so it’s a win-win. Can’t wait to give it a try.
I have a friend who loves to top pizzas and make salads with shaved asparagus. This salad looks absolutely wonderful, so I’ve sent her this post because I’m sure she’ll enjoy it too
Brian,
This looks amazing. I’m going to have to try it this weekend.
Bravo! What an impressive salad, and unique too! I love the fact that you use raw asparagus and anchovies, it will be perfect with a grilled fish….. I can’t wait to try this!
My husband LOVES Ceaser salad, but not asparagus. Wonder if I could get him to eat it this way? Thanks for sharing!
Love the shaved look -actually really beautiful salad!
so elegant an a wonderful change of caesar scenery
This looks simply fabulous. I love raw asparagus!
A wondeful dish and as always great photography.
Yes, yes, yes! I love using my veggie peeler for creative endeavors. Plus, asparagus make a perfect salad base. Bravo!
What a brilliant idea! I don’t think I have ever tried asparagus raw….the ribbons look so beautiful.
Beautiful!! Love the pictures
Thanks for sharing this recipe with us all…
Most people wouldn’t even know there are anchovies in a classic Ceasar dressing, unless you told them. It doesn’t tasty fishy, but like you said, it just brings it all together.
Thanks for introducing us to Olga’s spin on a classic!
A lovely idea. I think one can use several vegetables and use this idea – but I love asparagus and will be getting some to try this out.
This is one GORGEOUS salad. I’m pretty sure it’s changed the way I think about caesar salad, which is typically “eh boring”. But this is “ah beautiful”.
And I truly think I need a scantily clad photo of you in my life. To brighten up my every morning. Off to purchase the book!
I love asparagus! I love Caesar salad! And I do love anchovies! Thanks for this fabulous recipe!
wow, what an interesting concept! I certainly would never have thought of that one! My wife loves asparagus, this dish is the perfect accompaniment to any barbecued meat!
hope all is well up in Beantown, I am trying to find a time to come up this summer.
Dennis
delicious looking yummy salad
This salad would hit the spot on a hot day like today.
Yum, this looks absolutely delectable!
of course you got excited! It’s beauty of a salad. GREG
This looks off the hook delicious!! I just got a big bunch of fresh asparagus and this recipe looks much more interesting than just grillin’ them up like I usually do!
What a great idea….
This is GORGEOUS!
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