Mustard Vinaigrette for Asparagus & Pancetta Salad

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This mustard vinaigrette recipe is both tart and creamy, not only is it absolutely sensational with char-grilled asparagus and crispy pancetta but perfect with so much more.

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There is just something magical about roasted asparagus it brings out a nice smoky flavour that is wonderful with the salty pancetta and the mustard thyme vinaigrette in this salad.

The mustard vinaigrette…

This gorgeous mustard vinaigrette is both tart and creamy and would work equally as well with sturdy salad greens such as cos (romaine) lettuce and kale or soft lettuce such as butter, bib or oak leaf.

It also works well with cooked vegetables such as beetroot, broccoli or baby (Dutch) carrots and is even great in grain salads.

Serve it over grilled pork chops, steak or grilled chicken breasts for some added flavour.

You can also substitute the Dijon mustard with wholegrain mustard for some added texture. Whole Grain mustards use black and brown mustard seeds instead of yellow and it is similar to Dijon in that wine instead of vinegar is used as a base.

More on flat pancetta…

Flat pancetta is made from pork belly that has been salted and spiced before being allowed to mature for  6-8 weeks. It was traditionally used in spaghetti ala carbonara in place of bacon but partners beautifully here with grilled asparagus and mustard vinaigrette.

If you are unable to find it for this salad you may substitute with with speck or thick cut bacon pieces. 

Let me show you how to make it step-by-step…

Frying the pancetta for your mustard vinaigrette salad..

1. Heat a large heavy-based frypan on medium-high heat on your stove.
2. Cut your pancetta into small dice (6x6x6 mm or ¼ x ¼ x ¼ inch cubes).
3. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to your hot pan, add the pancetta and fry until golden and crisp (approximately 3-5 minutes).
4. Remove your pancetta with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Do not discard the pancetta oil in the pan, we are going to use it coat your asparagus.

Preparing the asparagus for your mustard vinaigrette salad…

1. The best way to test how much you should cut from your asparagus is to hold the asparagus about halfway down the spear and bend the stalk until it snaps.
2. Then use it as a guide to cut the rest of your asparagus stalks by lining them up together and cutting off with a sharp chef’s knife.
3. Use the leftover pancettal oil to coat your asparagus, season and toss until combined. Do this in a square or rectangular pan so that you can easily transfer onto your barbecue. 

Grilling the asparagus for your mustard vinaigrette salad…

1. Heat your barbecue or grill pan on high this will ensure that you get a nice char on the outside.
2.  Place your asparagus perpendicular to the grate so that they don’t fall through and make sure that the thickest part of the asparagus is placed towards the hottest part of the grill. 
3. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes, turning regularly until it is charred and cooked through. 
4. For tender crisp asparagus, grill for 3 to 5 minutes. For a more tender asparagus, grill for 10 minutes. Keep in mind that the thicker your spear the longer they will take to cook. Make sure that you turn them often so that they brown on all sides. 
5. Remove from the grill when done and allow to cool slightly then cut your asparagus into 3cm (1 inch) batons..

Putting your mustard vinaigrette salad together…

1. Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a glass jar and shake until emulsified.
2. Add all the cooked asparagus and crispy pancetta to a medium to a large mixing bowl, either pour the dressing over salad, season with salt and pepper and toss until the asparagus is well coated with the dressing or serve the mustard vinaigrette on the side as we have done.
3. Arrange your mustard vinaigrette with asparagus & pancetta salad in a salad platter and serve.

What to serve with your mustard vinaigrette salad…

An elegant salad that can be served at your next dinner party alongside a herb-crusted roast chicken or even a rack of lamb.

This salad travels well so it would be good to take to a barbecue or pack it for your next picnic.

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This is a low carb salad with only 5 g net carbs.

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Try some more of Asparagus salads…

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