Grilled Asparagus Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1  pound  fresh asparagus
• 1  tablespoon  grated orange rind
• 1/4  cup  fresh orange juice
• 1/3  cup  olive oil
• 1/4  cup  balsamic vinegar
• 1  teaspoon  Dijon mustard
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper
• 1  pound  mixed gourmet salad greens
• 4  cooked bacon slices, crumbled (optional)
• Orange rind strips

Preparation

Snap off tough ends of asparagus; place in a shallow dish.

Combine orange rind and next 6 ingredients in a jar; cover tightly. Shake jar vigorously. Pour one-third of vinaigrette over asparagus; cover and chill 1 hour. Drain.

Grill asparagus, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender; cool.

Toss together salad greens, remaining vinaigrette, and, if desired, bacon; mound onto 4 plates. Tie asparagus into 4 bundles with string. Cover string with orange rind strips.