Seasonal salad: it’s all about asparagus!
Mouth-watering and original recipes that allow you to eat seasonally and buy local. Follow these step-by-step instructions from Kent’s top food experts.
Macknade Food Hall in Faversham voted Best Deli/Farm Shop in Kent by you in the 2022 Muddy Awards, is a food lover’s haven that sits at the very heart of the community.
What started life as a tent in a field on the family farm is now a 10,000sqft food hall, delicatessen, butcher, café and kitchen, well renowned locally for its quality and range of produce.
At Macknade, they believe in eating seasonally and buying local where possible (as well as sourcing your favourites from further afield). No one knows more about the best ingredients to eat to stay in tune with nature – and that are going to tantalise your tastebuds too.
And the recommendation for this season? Asparagus! It’s the hero of Kentish vegetables – and such a versatile veg too – plus a simple steaming for a few minutes is really all it needs (and maybe a knob of butter).
Macknade purchase theirs from local Sevenscore Farm, near Ramsgate, but it’s available all over Kent. It’s in season now – but not for long – so here’s some suggestions to help you make the most of it – in as many ways as you can, while you can – over the next few weeks.
Recipe: Asparagus & Herb Salad (serves 2)
Ingredients (available in store)
- A bunch of asparagus
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp veg oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- Fresh lime juice, from 1 lime
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 tsps chopped fresh mint
- 2 tsps chopped fresh coriander
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 50g sliced almonds
Method
Chop the woody ends off the asparagus and set aside. You can use them in a soup recipe later.
Finely slice the rest of the stalk. You can reserve the tips for dipping sauces if you like.
Whisk all other ingredients in a bowl before adding to sliced asparagus, mixing well.
Cover the bowl and leave to rest in the fridge for an hour or so.
Serve.
MORE ASPARAGUS INSPO!
Asparagus Tarts: For full recipe, click here.
Asparagus Soup: For full recipe click here.
Simple Steamed Asparagus & Serving Sauces: For full recipe click here.
Get more recipes here and pick up all the ingredients from Macknade’s Flagship Food Hall, open daily in Faversham.