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Asparagus and Mesclun Salad with Capers, Cornichons, and Hard-Boiled Eggs

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 13, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 as a first course

Asparagus and Mesclun Salad with Capers, Cornichons, and Hard-Boiled Eggs

Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengthsSalt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons minced cornichons 1 small shallot, minced2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves 1 teaspoon chopped capers 6 ounces mesclun (about 6 cups)3 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is browned and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to large plate and let cool 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, cornichons, shallot, tarragon, capers, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
  3. Toss mesclun with 2 tablespoons dressing in bowl, and divide among salad plates. Toss asparagus with remaining dressing and arrange over mesclun. Garnish with chopped eggs and serve.
Asparagus and Mesclun Salad with Capers, Cornichons, and Hard-Boiled Eggs

Asparagus and Mesclun Salad with Capers, Cornichons, and Hard-Boiled Eggs

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 as a first course

Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced cornichons
1 small shallot, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon chopped capers
6 ounces mesclun (about 6 cups)
3 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced cornichons
1 small shallot, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon chopped capers
6 ounces mesclun (about 6 cups)
3 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced cornichons
1 small shallot, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon chopped capers
6 ounces mesclun (about 6 cups)
3 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

A quick sauté was the first step in creating an asparagus salad with bold flavors and tender-crisp texture. A zesty dressing and the addition of nuts, beans, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs made our asparagus salad recipe more substantial as well as flavorful.

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is browned and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to large plate and let cool 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, cornichons, shallot, tarragon, capers, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
  3. Toss mesclun with 2 tablespoons dressing in bowl, and divide among salad plates. Toss asparagus with remaining dressing and arrange over mesclun. Garnish with chopped eggs and serve.

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