Chilled Asparagus with Sesame Vinaigrette

Elevate your appetizer game with this vibrant Chilled Asparagus with Sesame Vinaigrette, a refreshingly light and flavorful dish perfect for warm weather or elegant gatherings. Tender-crisp asparagus is blanched to a radiant green, then quickly cooled in an ice bath to lock in its freshness. The star of the dish is the bold sesame vinaigrette, a harmonious blend of nutty sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, savory soy sauce, and a touch of honey for balance, enhanced with minced garlic for an aromatic kick. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a crunchy, earthy finish to this healthy and effortless recipe. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile side dish is a showstopper at any table and ideal for meal prep. Serve it cold for a crisp, refreshing burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with grilled proteins or Asian-inspired dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams asparagus
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 10 ice cubes
• 2 liters water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with 2 liters of water and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.

Step 2

While waiting for the water to boil, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and water.

Step 3

Trim the tough ends off the asparagus by bending each stalk gently until it snaps at its natural breaking point.

Step 4

Once the water is boiling, add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the stalks are bright green and tender-crisp.

Step 5

Immediately transfer the cooked asparagus to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let it sit in the ice bath for 5 minutes.

Step 6

While the asparagus chills, prepare the sesame vinaigrette. Mince the garlic clove finely. In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and the minced garlic until well combined.

Step 7

Drain the asparagus and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Arrange the asparagus on a serving plate.

Step 8

Drizzle the sesame vinaigrette evenly over the chilled asparagus.

Step 9

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant. Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the asparagus.

Step 10

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2926.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	433.4

Total Fat 33.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3011.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 27.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.6g	0%
Total Sugars 15.3g
Protein 14.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 257.2mg	0%
Iron 11.5mg	0%
Potassium 1112.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.2%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 23.7%