INGREDIENTS DRESSING: 2 Tbsp. apple cider (or rice wine) vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 tsp. sesame oil 1 clove garlic, smashed 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 2 tsp. raw sesame seeds SALAD: 24 stems asparagus trimmed to 5-inch lengths 2 Tbsp. each diced sweet red and yellow peppers 1 Tbsp. pine nuts 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

Combine vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and red pepper flakes in a food processor or blender, blend until the garlic and red pepper flakes are tiny, 1 - 2 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Or use bulky, I like it best not strained.

Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes and chill in a bowl of ice water. Drain and blot with paper towels to remove excess water. Place asparagus on a serving platter or individual plates. drizzle dressing on top of asparagus. Garnish with peppers, pine nuts, sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

I did not blanch my asparagus, baby home grown asparagus is so tender and scrumptious uncooked. When I pick it from the garden it immediately goes in my mouth and literally melts!

Did you know? 

1 cup raw asparagus has 270.68mg of potassium, bananas are not the only potassium rich food!

Other GOOD POINTS about asparagus:
Low in saturated fat
No cholesterol
Very low in sodium
High in calcium
Very high in dietary fiber
Very high in iron
Very high in manganese
High in magnesium
Very high in niacin
High in pantothenic acid
Very high in phosphorus
Very high in riboflavin
High in selenium
Very high in thiamin
Very high in vitamin A
Very high in vitamin B6
Very high in vitamin C
High in zinc