This tasty Asparagus Salad with feta is full of crisp, tender asparagus spears, salty feta cheese, and sweet cherry tomatoes with a mouthwatering lemon vinaigrette.
Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, grated garlic, salt, ground pepper and dried thyme in a small bowl. Let the vinaigrette chill in the fridge for 30 minutes in an air-tight container.
In a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat, bring a salted pot of water to a boil. Drop the asparagus spears into the boiling water, and blanch them for 1-2 minutes. Keep the asparagus in the water until tender but still bright green. While the asparagus is cooking, prepare a large mixing bowl with ice water. When the asapragus is finished cooking, transfer it into the ice water for 3 minutes, then drain.
In a large bowl combine baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, sliced onion, feta cheese, and basil leaves.
To serve, move the salad onto a platter, pour lemon vinaigrette and balsamic vinegar on top, toss, then sprinkle more fresh feta cheese.
Notes
If you want the onions to have a more mild flavor, you can marinate them in the vinaigrette for 30 minutes before adding them to the salad.