Raw Asparagus and Sweet Pepper Salad

Difficulty: Very Easy

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 4 minutes

Cost per serving: $0.25 to $0.40

Useful leftovers: Yes

This is an unusual side dish that only takes a couple of minutes and tastes fabulous. It's really easy and is very nutritious. It's a good foil for strong flavored savory food like a steak.

For each person

2 stalks Asparagus
1/4 of a  Sweet pepper, red or yellow or orange
1 teaspoon Toasted sesame oil
A few drops of Lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Wash the asparagus carefully and dry it. Bend it near the bottom until the tough end breaks off.

Cut the asparagus into 1/4" rounds.

Wash the pepper. Cut it into 1/4" little squares.

Season with the lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Equipment (and some ingredients) for Beginners

Here is a basic set of products to stock your kitchen, most of which qualify for free shipping.  For a complete kitchen set up buy one of each. (I apologize for the wierd formatting on this page. Blogspot!)







































And some ingredients. Our suggestion is to try one or two.






















For dried mushroom products we recommend Pistol River Mushrooms. Their products are excellent and their prices are fantastic. A simple dried wild mushroom mix or some truffle peelings can turn a humdrum dish into fare fit for a king - or me!

Dried wild mushrooms
Truffles

Truffles