Asparagus Strawberry Salad

Name: Asparagus Strawberry Salad
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 one-pound bunch medium-thick fresh green asparagus (trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces); 2 cups strawberries (hulled and halved or sliced); ½ cup slivered blanched almonds; DRESSING; 1 ⁄4 cup fresh (strained lemon juice); ½ tsp mastiha powder (optional); 2 Tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil; 2 Tbsp honey; Sea salt to taste

MASTIHA NOTES Mastiha is, indeed, one of the most seductive spices in the Mediterranean. It is faintly reminiscent of pine and has a deep, almost musky aroma. It is definitely Greece’s most exotic spice. It hails exclusively from Chios, where it has been produced since antiquity and long known for its medicinal value. It is highly aromatic and therapeutic — excellent and scientifically proven as a salve against stomach ulcers, effective as a gum in promoting oral health. Mastiha’s piney flavour is an excellent pair to this wonderful spring salad. As a little goes a long way for mastiha, pound only a couple of crystals with a little salt, if you’re making a savory dish

RATING

SERVES

PREP TIME

40 min

COOK TIME

5 min

RECIPES

The Ikaria Diet

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Ingredients

1 one-pound bunch medium-thick fresh green asparagus trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
2 cups strawberries hulled and halved or sliced
½ cup slivered blanched almonds
DRESSING
1 ⁄4 cup fresh strained lemon juice
½ tsp mastiha powder optional
2 Tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil
2 Tbsp honey
Sea salt to taste

Instructions

Trim the asparagus spears with a vegetable parer, removing any fibrous parts of the bottom end of the spears. Cut the spears into 1 ½-inch long pieces. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and blanch the asparagus for 2 minutes. Drain and immediately cool in a bowl filled with ice water.
Toss the asparagus and strawberries together in a bowl. Set aside, covered, in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, mastiha powder, honey and sea salt until emulsified and creamy. Pour dressing over salad, toss and serve.