Here’s a great recipe I found online at www.recipezaar.com. I had bought some asparagus yesterday and had plenty of fresh basil and mushrooms. I always seem to steam asparagus and serve it with lemon butter. I marinated this salad for 6 hours and the taste was quite delicious. I think the dressing could be used in other salads and maybe for a salmon or chicken breast marinade.

Fresh Balsamic Asparagus Salad
1 lb baby asparagus
4 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed chopped basil
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese or mizithra cheese
Salt, to taste

1. Trim the asparagus (keeping the darker green and less fibrous parts) and cut into 1-inch pieces.
2. Thinly slice the mushrooms.
3. Simmer the asparagus in 1/2 cup of water with a pinch of salt until it is tender (about 10-13 minutes).
4. While the asparagus is simmering, whisk the lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic together.
5. Gradually add the olive oil and then the black pepper.
6. Once you have drained the asparagus and let it cool, gently toss it with half of the dressing to coat it well.
7. Toss the remaining dressing with the basil and the mushrooms, and sprinkle the mixture over the asparagus.
8. Season to taste with salt, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or Mizithra cheese, and serve.