Fresh Asparagus Salad (liang-pan-lu-sun)

Total Time: 21 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 min

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2-2 lbs fresh asparagus, no more than 1/2 inch in diameter
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Recipe

• 1 bend each asparagus stalk back until the tough root end snaps away.
• 2 discard the ends.
• 3 wash the stalks and slice diagonally into bite- sized pieces.
• 4 blanch the pieces in boiling water for 1 minute, drain at once, and run cold water over the asparagus to stop their cooking.
• 5 spread them on a double thickness of paper towels and pat them dry.
• 6 in a container large enough to hold the asparagus, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• 7 add the asparagus and toss to coat each piece with the dressing.
• 8 chill slightly--no more than 2-3 hours--before serving.
• 9 may be served chilled or at room temperature.