Grilled Asparagus Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

By allie5jones

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh asparagus
• 1 tbsp. grated orange rind
• 1/4 c. fresh orange juice
• 1/3 c. olive oil
• 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 lb. mixed gourmet salad greens
• 4 cooked bacon slices, crumbled (optional)
• kitchen string
• orange rind strips

Preparation

Step 1

Snap off tough ends of asparagus, and discard. Place asparagus in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon grated orange rind and next 6 ingredients in a jar; cover tightly. Shake jar vigorously. Pour one-third of vinaigrette over asparagus; cover asparagus, and chill 1 hour. Drain. Grill asparagus, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350-400 degrees) 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender; cool. Toss together salad greens, remaining vinaigrette, and, if desired, bacon; mound evenly onto 4 plates. The asparagus into 4 bundles with string. Fan bundles over salad, and cover string with orange rind strips.