Savory Bacon and Asparagus Green Salad

With its vibrant green spears, bacon-y smokiness, salty cheese, and crunchy walnuts, this salad packs a punch of flavor that will leave you wanting more. It's the perfect side dish for any occasion, and it's so easy to make that you'll be whipping it up on a regular basis.

This salad came to be on a cold winter night, while I was brainstorming ideas for a healthy and satisfying dish to serve at a dinner party I was hosting. I wanted something that was easy to make, but still impressive enough to wow my guests. After much deliberation, I settled on a combination of roasted asparagus, vegan bacon bits, red onion, walnuts, and feta cheese. The result was a salad that was not only delicious, but also visually appealing. My guests raved about it, and I've been making it ever since.

Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 12 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup vegan bacon bits
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup crumbled vegan feta cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C).
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until tender.
5. In a large bowl, combine roasted asparagus, vegan bacon bits, red onion, walnuts, and feta cheese.
6. Toss to combine.
7. Serve immediately.

Why It Works

• The combination of roasted asparagus and vegan bacon bits provides a balance of textures and flavors.
• The red onion adds a bit of sharpness and crunch.
• The walnuts add a touch of richness and nuttiness.
• The feta cheese adds a salty and tangy flavor.
• The olive oil dressing helps to tie all of the ingredients together.