Salade Verte
Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the ones that make a meal feel special. Salade Verte is a fresh, colorful green salad that brings together tender Bibb lettuce, crisp radishes, sweet cherry tomatoes, and bright green asparagus. A zesty lemon-shallot vinaigrette, balanced with a touch of Dijon mustard, ties everything together without overpowering the delicate vegetables.
The secret to this elegant salad is keeping the ingredients fresh, crisp, and beautifully balanced. Blanching the asparagus just until tender-crisp preserves its vibrant color, while the homemade vinaigrette adds a refreshing tang to every bite.
Serve Salade Verte as a light lunch, a refreshing first course for a dinner party, or a simple side alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish, or a crusty baguette. It's an easy way to bring a little French-inspired elegance to your table—with very little fuss.
Ingredients
For the salad:
1 head Boston Bibb lettuce, leaves gently separated and torn into large pieces
5–6 radishes with leafy tops, roots thinly sliced and tender greens reserved
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ pound asparagus, trimmed and blanched until tender-crisp
For the dressing:
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
Prepare the Asparagus: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, sugar, lemon juice, shallot, and Dijon mustard until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly to emulsify. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine Bibb lettuce, radish slices, radish greens, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to coat, being careful not to bruise the delicate leaves.
Serve: Transfer to a platter or individual plates and serve immediately while crisp and cool.
Optional Finishing Touches
Add shaved Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese for extra richness.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs like tarragon or chives for a fragrant finish.
Enjoy!