Elana's Pantry

New York Times Bestselling author Elana Amsterdam founded Elana’s Pantry, the go-to website for easy, healthy, grain-free, Paleo recipes, in 2006

asparagus basil salad

Asparagus Basil Salad

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This easy Asparagus Basil Salad is not only healthy, it’s an incredibly tasty paleo side dish. It’s especially delectable during the summer when vegetables are in peak season. I found this recipe in Sunset Magazine. Actually, I didn’t find it, our family friend Mrs. Rose found it and made it for Mr. Rose’s 75th birthday, a fabulous gathering that the boys and I attended when we were in Davis, visiting my folks in 2010.

How Do You Handle Your Special Diet?

Special diets and social events can sometimes be a challenge. When family and friends don’t understand, accommodate, or respect your dietary restrictions things can get a bit dicey. However, Mrs. Rose made tons of healthy gluten-free food for us! So, a yummy dinner was enjoyed by all.

Maintaining Dietary Boundaries

I believe it really is up to us to maintain our boundaries and not eat food that makes us feel awful, just to spare someone else’s feelings. I would rather hurt someone’s feelings than hurt my body. Has anybody else been in a situation like that? If so, what did you do?

Asparagus Basil Salad

In a total dietary win-win, here’s a yummy salad that most everyone can enjoy. If you have a nightshade allergy, it’s still delicious without the tomatoes. And remember, my third book, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, is 100% nightshade-free!

Print Recipe
Asparagus Basil Salad
Serves:4-6
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Steam asparagus for 5-7 minutes until fork tender
  2. Place asparagus, tomatoes, avocado, and basil in a large bowl
  3. Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard
  4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
  5. Serve

Leftovers for Breakfast

I actually made a huge batch of this Asparagus Basil Salad recently and ate it for breakfast with Hard Boiled Eggs, and then had the rest for dinner with the incredible Turkey Burgers from my first book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook.

Paleo Summer Salad Recipes

Here are some of my other healthy paleo salad recipes:

This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first published this recipe in 2010.

Comments

  1. The salad sounds amazing! I will definitely give it a try!
    I would also like to comment on the “maintaining dietary bounderies”. My family had trouble understanding why I have made such drastic dietary changes. I have Crohn”s disease which is in remission because I am vigilant about monitoring what I eat. Food testing revealed foods that my body was not happy about digesting and eliminating those fooods from my diet has had positive effects.
    My friends and family now know that I am not going to eat certain foods. If I am uncertain about what is to be served for food I pack my own food and don’t worry about it. As you stated, we are responsible for our own health and what we eat.
    Thank you for sharing recipes and experiences with us.

    Reply

  2. This salad sounds amazing. I love each individual ingredient, so putting them all together should be a delight.
    Thank you :)

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  3. I have been making this salad ever since you posted it 7 years ago– and people still freak out in tasty amazement when i make it. it’s definitely a summer go-to!!!!

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    • Rosina, we love this salad too! Thanks for letting me know that people freak out in tasty amazement when you make it :-)

      Reply

  4. Thank you so much. This dish is as tasty as it is visually appealing. I have recently been introduced to this type of eating. I have been pleasantly surprised. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience thanks in part to your delightful recipes.

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  5. Wow Elana, this looks soooo tasty!!! Will show this to my wife and I hope she will prepare great meal from this one folks!!!

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  7. I can’t have nightshades, so I added some chopped up roasted beets for something extra. This salad was delicious. Thank you so much Elana!

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  8. I threw in some shredded organic chicken breasts and this was so delicious!!!! I had some lemon basil in my garden that added the perfect touch.

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  10. Really simple/creative recipe! I am making a large batch for an Easter gathering tonight. Didn’t have a ripe avocado so I’m subbing 1 cup edamame and 1 cup whole kernel corn. Figured that would work well. I’m curious to see my family’s reactions (some aren’t so veggie-enlightened). BTW – everyone know about Sierra Nevada mustards? Produced by the brewery? Oh they are amazing!

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  11. I am hosting Easter dinner this week and thinking about making this salad. Does it keep well if I make it a day ahead, perhaps waiting to add the dressing until it’s time to serve? Or will it get mushy? A cup of basil is a lot – is that a packed cup?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Katie,

      Thanks for your comment. I like to make all of my salads fresh so not sure if this one would keep or not.

      Yes, I do a packed cup of basil for this recipe –I LOVE basil.

      Elana :-)

      Reply

  12. Neta,

    Hmmm, I doubt you’re doing anything wrong.

    Grapeseed oil has a fairly high smoking/burning point of 420 degrees, which is a good thing when frying. I think it may be that in cooking repeated batches of latkes in oil, the oil just eventually starts to burn and needs to be dumped and replenished.

    Have you had better success with other types of oils? If so, please let us know :-)

    Thanks,
    Elana

    Reply

  13. I love asparagus! I wish it was in season all year round. I made asparagus roll-ups for a snack over the weekend! Delicious! I’m going to have to try your recipe next!

    Reply

  14. This looks great. I think I will make it tonight and add some chicken thighs, and pine nuts for a full meal. I have been looking to do more meals out of one dish lately and have had pretty good success. Thanks.

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  15. Hi Elena, I have been loving/raving about your blog for months. I got your book for my birthday and am seriously obsessed with all your recipes. I recently made this salad for my blog and linked to yours. It’s the perfect combination of some of my absolute favorite things. I was reading about how you attended a photo workshop and had to say, I love the new photo of you on your blog! Too cute! You are lovely.
    Best from the bowl, L

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    • Laura, thanks for your amazing comment! I’m so happy you are enjoying my blog and also that this salad was the perfect combination of your absolute favorite things :-)

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  16. Made this for a potluck last weekend. It was a big hit! It’s wonderful to share delicious recipes with others who don’t have dietary restrictions–they don’t miss anything!

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  17. I have Chronic Kidney Disease due to an immune system defect…I am usually in a situation where I am bound to hurt someone’s feelings or insult their beliefs for not eating all my food. The good news is that once I explain that it is due to dietary restrictions and a failing organ…people tend to be pretty sheepish. I think there needs to be more understanding from chefs and a realization from hosts that their food may or may not be the best thing we ever ate and appreciating someone’s generosity does not mean I need to ask for seconds or even necessarily like their food…the goal of social or business events should not be the food, but the people.

    Also, I make a similar salad during the summer with red bell pepper and lime juice instead of lemon juice. Instead of steaming the asparagus, I grill the asparagus and red pepper, makes it feel more like summer.

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  18. This looks awesome! When I was on a Candida diet, I told people what my eating restrictions were, and I also brought my own food when I knew I would be out at meal times. I did get some funny reactions when I turned down free pizza while taking a group of my students to work at a local soup kitchen.

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  19. I have been pretty lucky overall, I socialize in a pretty small group so most people know what to expect with me and are usually relieved when I tell them I will bring my own food or supplement what they provide. What I found early on in this transition was that for some reason if I tried to explain I was eating differently for my health, I got a lot of, “just one piece/ bite won’t hurt you” but when I started telling people I had food allergies or intolerances and I could get sick from eating (fill in the blank) they were a lot more understanding. And there are SO MANY people who know so little about nutrition or food. I had a really hard time getting someone to understand that whole wheat flour was still flour, she was confused and deflated when I couldn’t eat the whole wheat muffins she made. With people who are new to my needs, I try to keep it simple- “I have multiple food intolerances and many things make me sick, I’d like to bring something”. Then if they ask for more information, I’m happy to elaborate. The one issue that still plagues me is beer and alcohol, I can’t get it through the heads of many, including my husband, that beer contains gluten and that 1 drink of pretty much anything means 48 hours of recuperation, so I usually just volunteer to be a designated driver to get out of that one. And I have found that more and more people know someone already with some allergy or intolerance and with so much gluten-free buzz, it at least seems like more people are becoming educated about the issue (even if marginally). But it’s hard to hurt the feelings of someone you care about who probably means well but just has no clue. Hopefully with time and tact, they will begin to at least accept. I hope everyone can find and maintain their path.

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  20. Elana, or others, do you wait to put the dressing on if you are eating it at two different occassions during the day, for instance breakfast and dinner??? Thanks, Tracy

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  21. This looks like a fantastic salad for anyone, whether you need gluten-free food or not. Love it!

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  22. Oh gosh, I had that with my mother-in-law not that long ago. The family was going to her place for lunch, so I kindly asked if she could tell me what she was preparing so that I could make my own safe version. Three days of emails and phoning later, we finally convinced her to just let me bring my own food. THREE DAYS! It was really tiring going back and forth. With her saying things like, “Just tell me how. Tell me what margarine I can use.” and me responding with, “It’s a lot more complicated than that. Especially when you’re cooking food for other people right next to mine. And no, I can’t use ANY margarine.”

    “What about oils?”

    “No, please… I’ll feel a lot better if I just make my own.”

    “It’s no trouble for me.”

    “NO!!! I’m really not concerned about you going to extra trouble. I’m doing this for my own PEACE OF MIND!”

    … and as much as I eventually won, I can see that argument happening the very next time we’re invited over there again.

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  23. As a diabetic for more than 25 years, yes, I’ve confronted the issue of hurting feelings or hurting me countless times. It took a few years to choose me. Admittedly it is more accepted for a diabetic to “watch” their diet* I have a couple of food allergies so I’ve had occasion to notice people seem to be somewhat less forgiving of the fact that I can’t eat tomatoes, unless they themselves have one or more food allergies. Happily, the trend seems to be toward asking those invited to a food event what their dietary preferences are during the menu planning process. The last big potluck I was only too delighted to attend had labels on each dish, some listing all the ingredients, others saying “vegan” or “contains meat” or something of the kind. At least you could get a clue before eating.

    BTW, the salad looks fabulous, perhaps pickled baby beets in place of those yummy looking tomatoes?

    *The term “watch your diet” means watching other people eat what you can’t have.

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  24. Amongst friends, family, and strangers, I have no problem being honest with them with regards to my eating plan (love that phrase!). But I generally eat whatever my boss cooks, suffering the consequences later. Fortunately, he only has us over for dinner once or twice a year. ;)

    I hate Hate HATE it when I turn down food (apologetically, of course) and the topic of conversation turns to what food I can and cannot eat and how tough it must be. “You can’t eat BREAD?!?! How do you LIVE?!?”

    UGH. Sorry, mini-rant.

    Reply

    • LOL. I always get the same reaction. It’s very uncomfortable, especially when there are a lot of people around or when you don’t know the people so well. I basically cannot eat anywhere besides home without compromising my diet (’cause I don’t eat wheat, eggs, dairy, red meat, soy etc etc.) and whenever I stick to my guns my diet becomes the topic of conversation.
      So you’re not alone in this… if it’s of any comfort…

      Reply

  25. Love, love, love asparagus! Just got my last bunch of the season in my organic delivery box… will have to try this out!
    Thanks Elana!

    Reply

  26. I remember hating asparagus when my mom made it for us–however, those vegetables came from a can. Freshly cooked asparagus is delicious. So, do not use canned asparagus if you want a good dish–at least that is what I have experienced for myself. Plus, BPA isn’t very appetizing.

    Every holiday get-together, my family’s friends come over with their heavily refined, sugary laden, gluten containing desserts and foods. I feel pretty bad for not having any because I know they made it for everyone (actually they usually don’t make it from scratch, like I do for my desserts); but, I put my health first and I always maintain it over anyone else’s thoughts, comments or personal feelings.

    It shouldn’t be like this in everyday life all the time, obviously, because you would have a large array of negative people in the population. But when it comes to your boundaries and the health there of, you gotta respect that.

    Ooh, I just noticed avocado. I love that fruit! So, I know I will love this salad. So nice.

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  28. Elana, enjoying your website, book and recipes. If you like Mark Sisson’s book, you will love my book, Dr Gundry’s Diet Evolution: Turn Off the Genes that are Killing You. It goes into the evolutionary reasons why much of what we currently eat, especially grains, are an evolutionally disaster that just plays into an ancient genetic program that makes us seek out these foods.
    All the best,
    Dr. G

    Reply

  30. Elana, you posted “However, IMHO, it really is up to us to maintain our boundaries and not eat food that makes us feel awful, just to spare someone else’s feelings. I would rather hurt their feelings than hurt my body; has anybody else been in a situation like that?”

    YES! I am now in the faze of telling people NO! I have been using some of your recipes as my GG was GF, so figured I better start getting use to some of it as it might turn out that way for me too. I am a diabetic so have to be careful of what I eat. Anyway… Someone wanted me to taste a pie she made, said “Oh a bite wont really hurt you” My BG shot to 198. She then said “Well that’s not bad so and so was in the 250-300+ all the time.” Well for me 198 was awfully bad. And all I took was 1 little bite. So I have learned to say “Here want some arsenic, just a little bite wont hurt will it?” lol It gets the point across.

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  31. Hi, I love you site!
    Not only being G-free I have a son that can not have nuts. :-( My question to you would be, if I cannot use almond flour what flour would you suggest in place of for the cherry blueberry crumble or any other recipes using it.

    Thank you for any reply,
    Suzanne

    Reply

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