A deliciously fruity and colourful strawberry mango asparagus salad, perfect for a quick summer lunch or to accompany grilled BBQ meat.
It’s no secret, anyone who knows me knows that I love asparagus. When it’s in season, you can always find one or two bunches in my fridge (there was even a time when I bought 7 … yes, I’m totally the Asparagus Hoarder if you want to know my not-so-secret superhero name 😉 ) .
The only problem with having so much asparagus at home is that after the second day of eating cream of asparagus soup or steamed asparagus I want to jazz things up a bit, but curiously neither my large collection of cookbooks or the internet is abundant in asparagus recipes. Don’t know why, since asparagus is amazingly healthy: since 93% of asparagus is made up of water, it is very low in calories and sodium. Also:
It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fibre, protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.
(Source: Wikipedia)
But in addition to its many health benefits I love its fresh and spring taste, and its unique texture, how it snaps under my teeth. And the tips, mm those are tender and soft, and as I learned from Wikipedia are also called “love tips” or points d’amour.
But let’s get back to my asparagus salad from the biology lesson and let me tell you about this exciting strawberry mango asparagus salad. Of one thing I can assure you: jazzed up it definitely is. It has steamed asparagus, sweet juicy mango, fresh strawberries, crunchy red onion slices and some orange juice in the dressing to complement the sweetness of the mango and strawberry with some much appreciated tartness.
Another great bonus (besides the fact that it looks fabulous on a plate) is that this strawberry mango asparagus salad comes together in less than 30 minutes, so ideal for a quick lunch or easy dinner when you are in a rush and still want to eat something delicious and extraordinary.
I made it vegan, but if you want, you can add some feta or goat cheese, or sprinkle it with crunchy baked bacon bits or toasted pine nuts to add more colours and textures to the salad.
- 500 gr asparagus chopped up
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ a mango diced
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 1 red onion sliced
- 2-3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1-2 tsp honey or coconut sugar if needed (optional)
- Wash and chop up the asparagus into 2 inch bits, sprinkle with salt and steam for about 10 minutes, until the asparagus become soft.
- While the asparagus cooks, cut up the mango, strawberries and red onion.
- For the dressing mix together the orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, if you find it too sour you may add a bit of honey or coconut sugar to sweeten it.
- Once the asparagus is cooked, strain it and let it cool.
- When the asparagus has cooled down, mix it together with the mango bits, strawberry and red onion slices, pour on the dressing and mix well.
- Let it rest for 10-20 minutes before eating, and season with more salt, pepper or chili flakes if you wish.
Wow Stella I really love the flavour combinations you have selected here and what a unique way to enjoy asparagus. I only wish it wasn’t so expensive for you to buy where I live in Bahrain.
Oh, sorry to hear that Robyn! My problem is that asparagus season is so short, it seems to me that I’m waiting a whole year for those 2-3 weeks, just like with Christmas *sighs* I vowed to freeze some asparagus so I can have some later when it’s no longer in season, but I ate all that I had at home…Maybe next year. 😉
I would never have thought to combine fruit and asparagus together! This will definitely be on my to do list of things to try! Love the photos.oxox
Thank you Cheryl! I like to put fruits in my salads: strawberries, peaches, pears, etc, love how one bite has a combination of both sweet and salty 🙂 Try it, I hope you’ll like it!
This looks beyond delicious! I’m not usually one for asparagus, but I think you’ve swayed me with the clever use of strawberries and mango. (How sneaky 😉 ) This looks amazing and much more healthy than some of the other recipes I have which involve fruit, so I’m eager to try it. (My hips could do with a few more of these and a few less tarts, haha!)
Hi Fox, glad to have swayed you to the “dark” side lol 😉 But trust me, this combination is so worth it! Let me know how you liked it if you got around to making it.
This really looks great. I would have never thought to put strawberries and asparagus together. A must try it!
Yes, it certainly isn’t an obvious combination, but I loved how the different textures of the crunchy asparagus and the softer strawberries and mango pieces came in one bite 🙂
A very intriguing combo here. Love it! Looks beautiful and sounds delicious!
Thank you Jenn, it did taste delicious.
Beautiful! And I bet the savory asparagus is delicious with sweet strawberries and mango.
It was Becky, and I just love it when a dish is so colourful!
Well this looks divine! I love asparagus. and strawberries. and mango.
Then you should definitely try mixing them for this salad Tracey!
Yes, this indeed looks beautiful on the plate!! Asparagus is really a great veggie, I personally like the green one better 🙂
I completely agree Howie, green asparagus tastes somehow more “fresh”. That’s why I also used it for this recipe.
Wish we had asparagus and strawberries in season and make your salad… But I can tell you one thing… I really like your dressing suggestion and especially the fact that you used orange juice. It sounds fruity and healthy at the same time.
Thank you. Yes, it tasted so fresh, fruity and summery, that I made a note to myself to use fruit juice in salad dressings more often as it tastes divine.
Wish we had asparagus and strawberries in season and make your salad. But I can tell you one thing… I really like your dressing suggestion and especially the fact that you used orange juice. It sounds fruity and healthy at the same time.
WOW. What an interesting combination. I love all 3 individually, but would never think to put them together. Thanks for stopping by my blog Stella. x
Thanks Di, and thanks for visiting me 🙂
I would have never thought of this combination! It sounds like a delicious side dish or late spring salad when the asparagus is at its peak.
Yes Anne, the only downside is that asparagus season is so quickly over 🙁
Interesting combination! Never paired asparagus with fruit before. Will have to try it!
Hope you’ll like it Oana, I like to put fruits in my salad 🙂
mmm! these are all some of my favorite foods – mango with strawberries is always the best combination. Perfect for BBQs!
Yay, a kindred spirit! 🙂 And yes, it is perfect for BBqs and any grilled vegetable or meat.
Hi Stella! I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award! I love your blog and I think you’re doing great work so I just wanted to share. If you want to know more about the nomination I made a post here with the info on it. http://www.asaucykitchen.com/2015/09/liebster-award.html
Don’t feel like you need to continue the chain you don’t want to, but at any rate I think you have a great blog!
Hi Sarah! Thanks SO much! 🙂 I’m really glad you like my blog, thank you for your nice words! *hugs*
That salad is gorgeous! I loooove the strawberry mango combo and I love the asparagus in this. I find that I run out of things to do with asparagus so this is perfect!
Thank you Sarah! Yes, I love fruity salads and the combination of sweet mango and juicy strawberries is a match made in heaven. I hear you, my problem was, that usually there aren’t many asparagus recipes one can find, and I was growing tired with eating it only steamed or grilled.