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Asparagus, Red Pepper, and Spinach Salad with Sherry Vinegar and Goat Cheese

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 14, 2011

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Asparagus, Red Pepper, and Spinach Salad with Sherry Vinegar and Goat Cheese

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1 by ¼-inch strips1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengthsSalt and pepper 1 shallot, sliced thin1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach 4 ounces goat cheese, cut into small chunks

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add red pepper and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and cook until asparagus is browned and almost tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in shallot and cook until softened and asparagus is crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to large plate and cool 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper together in bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
  3. Toss spinach with 2 tablespoons dressing in bowl, and divide among salad plates. Toss asparagus mixture with remaining dressing in now-empty bowl and arrange over spinach. Sprinkle with goat cheese and serve.
Asparagus, Red Pepper, and Spinach Salad with Sherry Vinegar and Goat Cheese

Asparagus, Red Pepper, and Spinach Salad with Sherry Vinegar and Goat Cheese

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1 by ¼-inch strips
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and pepper
1 shallot, sliced thin
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach
4 ounces goat cheese, cut into small chunks

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1 by ¼-inch strips
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and pepper
1 shallot, sliced thin
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach
4 ounces goat cheese, cut into small chunks

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1 by ¼-inch strips
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1-inch lengths
Salt and pepper
1 shallot, sliced thin
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
6 ounces (6 cups) baby spinach
4 ounces goat cheese, cut into small chunks

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-cooked eggs made our asparagus salad recipe more substantial as well as flavorful.

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add red pepper and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and cook until asparagus is browned and almost tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in shallot and cook until softened and asparagus is crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to large plate and cool 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper together in bowl. Whisking constantly, drizzle in remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
  3. Toss spinach with 2 tablespoons dressing in bowl, and divide among salad plates. Toss asparagus mixture with remaining dressing in now-empty bowl and arrange over spinach. Sprinkle with goat cheese and serve.

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