Grilled Asparagus and Spinach Salad

I found this recipe at Fatfree Vegan Kitchen. There are some great recipes there.

Grilled Asparagus and Spinach Salad
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If you're eating this salad as one course of a meal, consider this recipe about 2 servings. But if you're like me and like a really big salad as a meal on its own, call this one serving and perhaps toss a handful of chickpeas into it to make it more filling.

8 ounces asparagus, tough ends snapped off
olive oil spray
salt and freshly ground pepper
4 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (may omit or substitute chickpeas)
Smoked Paprika Salad Dressing (see below)

Set a seasoned grill pan over medium-high heat. While it is heating, snap off the tough ends of the asparagus, place it in a dish, and spray it lightly with olive oil (just a couple of quick sprays). Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to distribute the oil and seasonings.

Put the asparagus on the grill and cook, turning often, until just beginning to brown in places but still crisp and bright green, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and cut spears in half.

Toss the spinach with the dressing and arrange in two bowls or plates. Divide the asparagus between the two salads, and sprinkle each with a tablespoon of walnuts.

Makes 2 standard servings. Each serving, with walnuts but excluding dressing: 60 Calories (kcal); 4g Total Fat; (47% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 46mg Sodium; 3g Fiber. Weight Watchers 1 Flex Point.

Without walnuts or dressing: 36 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (30% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 46mg Sodium; 3g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core/ Zero Points.


(The grill the day before it cracked.)

Smoked Paprika Dressing

2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon white organic miso
1 tablespoon Nayonaise (or other vegan mayo) OR silken tofu
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon ground flax seeds
1/2 teaspoon paprika
small amount of sweetener to taste, just enough to offset the lemon juice (I used a tiny scoop of calorie-free stevia.)

Put all ingredients into a small blender and puree until smooth. Let rest for at least a half hour to allow flavors to develop. Makes about 4 servings (enough for 4 standard-sized salads).

Per serving (using fat-free Nayonaise and stevia): 12 Calories (kcal); trace Total Fat; (23% calories from fat); trace Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 82mg Sodium. (Calories and fat grams increase slightly when made with other mayo or sweeteners.)