Herb-Dressed Asparagus Orange Salad

Name: Herb-Dressed Asparagus Orange Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 4 tablespoons minced fresh basil, divided; 2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon, divided; 24 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed; 12 cups torn mixed salad greens; 4 medium navel oranges, peeled and sliced; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings.

"When I serve this for gourmet dinners, I arrange asparagus spears into a sunburst pattern on a platter, placing orange segments in between," Sue Dannahower shares from Fort Pierce, Florida. "The greens and red onion are mounded in the center."

Ingredients

2/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 tablespoons minced fresh basil, divided
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon, divided
24 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
12 cups torn mixed salad greens
4 medium navel oranges, peeled and sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings.

Directions

In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk, oil and vinegar. Stir in 3 tablespoons basil and 1 tablespoon tarragon. Cover and refrigerate.
Place asparagus in a large skillet. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water; drain.
Place three asparagus spears on an individual serving plate. Top with 1-1/2 cups salad greens. Drizzle with 2 tablespoon of dressing. arrange oranges and onions over salad greens. Sprinkle with remaining basil and tarragon.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 115 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 198mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Herb-Dressed Asparagus Orange Salad in Light & Tasty October/November 2004