Marinated Asparagus Salad

Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables and I love preparing it this way. Preparation time includes chilling overnight.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 7 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried tarragon
•  black pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  garlic salt
• 2⁄3 ounce  Italian salad dressing mix, prepared according to package directions
• 1⁄4 cup tarragon vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
•  lettuce leaf, for serving
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise (optional)

Directions

1. Bring about 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Add asparagus, cover and cook until tender, about 6 minutes (Alternatively, you can use 1 1/2 cans (15 ounces each) whole green asparagus spears and skip this step.).
3. Drain the asparagus and layer it in a shallow glass dish.
4. Sprinkle each layer with crumbled tarragon leaves, pepper and garlic salt.
5. Pour salad dressing and vinegar over asparagus, cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Serve chilled asparagus on a bed of lettuce leaves.
7. Top with a dollop of mayonnaise (which you can flavor with some of the dressing), if desired.