When you need a lighter, healthy meal, an entree salad can hit the
spot and make you smile. My shrimp and asparagus salad with oranges is a
perfect example. It’s a delightful spring salad with fresh greens,
orange segments, asparagus, shrimp, and a lovely citrus vinaigrette.
It’s fast and so tasty. In 20 minutes, you can be sitting with your
family and friends and enjoying the flavor. You can serve a small
version of this salad as a first course, but I love it as an entrée.
I’m using quick broiled shrimp, but you can also use any cooked shrimp
like grilled, boiled, or sautéed.
My fresh greens today are arugula (rocket). The arugula adds a
peppery note to the salad. You may use all arugula, a mix of arugula and
baby spinach, or even all baby spinach if you’re not an arugula fan.
Shrimp & Asparagus Salad With Oranges
Use organic when available. Makes 2 entrée salads or 4 first course salads
Salad
- 1 lb medium shrimp peeled and de-veined
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups asparagus chopped about 1" (about 1 lb)
- 2 oranges
- 5 oz fresh greens: arugula, baby spinach or mix of both
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp orange juice from segmenting oranges
- 1 tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar
- squeeze of a fresh lemon
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
Preheat broiler
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil
Place shrimp in large bowl and add lemon juice and 3 tbsp of olive oil with dash of salt
Stir and coat shrimp well
Cover broiler pan with non-stick foil and place shrimp in single layer on pan
Place pan on the top rack, a few inches below the element
Broil about 1½ minutes or more per side, just until shrimp turn pink
Let shrimp cool while you make salad
With a sharp knife carefully slice off the top and bottom of each orange over bowl
Slice the skin away from the flesh and discard
Remove any remaining white pith
Cut between the membranes to segment orange retaining any juices in bowl for vinaigrette
Squeeze membranes for more juice into bowl
Set juice aside to make vinaigrette
Add chopped asparagus to boiling water
Cook asparagus 3 to 4 minutes until bright green
Remove asparagus from hot water and plunge into cold water to stop cooking
In large serving bowl mix orange sections with cooled asparagus and shrimp
Pour vinaigrette over and toss to coat
Divide fresh greens onto 2 plates for entrées or 4 salad plates or bowls for 1st course
Top with shrimp and asparagus/orange mix
Optional garnish with seeds or nuts for crunch
Serve with crusty rolls or bread
Vinaigrette
Combine ingredients in a blender and process until smooth, about 20–30 seconds
Store in glass container with lid
Enjoy!