Spring Pasta Salad With Asparagus Bacon Feta Recipes

Steps:

• Heat shallot and oil in microwave safe covered dish for 30 seconds or in a small pan on the stovetop over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Allow oil to cool back to room temperature.
• Hold a spear of asparagus at each end and snap it. The spear breaks where the tender tops meet the tough bottoms. Line the broken spear up with the bundle of cleaned asparagus. Cut the spears using the guideline of the snapped spear. Par boil the asparagus tops in 1 inch simmering water covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water and drain. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces on an angle and add to a bowl. Combine chopped, cooked asparagus with shredded endive, red bell pepper, cooked pasta, green peas and chopped parsley. The peas will defrost as you toss salad. Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in cooled shallot oil. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper, to your taste and toss again.

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water according to the package directions for fully cooked (not al dente). Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside. Meanwhile, snap the woody ends off the bottoms of the asparagus and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a Food Network CookingGreen Bamboo Cutting Board and cut into bite-size pieces. Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, some pepper and the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil in a large bowl. Add the pasta, asparagus pimientos, feta and dill and toss to combine. Let stand 30 minutes at room temperature so the flavors can meld before serving.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place asparagus in a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over asparagus and season with garlic powder; toss well. Transfer asparagus to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until asparagus are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Place lettuce in the same bowl used for asparagus; top with tomatoes, feta cheese, and asparagus.