Roasted Asparagus Salad with Goat Cheese and Bread Crumbs

I Love Salad!

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 1 thick slice crusty bread or 3 thick slices baguette cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 pound asparagus spears , trimmed
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 ounces fresh goat cheese , crumbled
• Zest of 1 lemon , removed in long, thin strips

Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast, tossing halfway through, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove, cool, and chop into coarse crumbs; set aside. Wipe sheet clean.

Arrange asparagus on sheet. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil, and season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast, rolling asparagus over once or twice, until just tender, 12 to 14 minutes; transfer to a large platter.

Sprinkle lemon juice over asparagus, then scatter bread crumbs on top. Drizzle remaining olive oil; top with goat cheese and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Extra idea: These flavors would also work together harmoniously as a canapé—the goat cheese spread thin on crustless bread, the asparagus steamed and sliced thin, the lemon zest curled on top.