Chopped Vegetable Salad

Spring Time Salad
Serves 4-6 people; preparation time 15 minutes can be served with chicken, fish or steak; or by itself for lunch or dinner.

One bunch asparagus, blanched and chopped large pieces
One basket of cherry tomatoes
One large red onion
¼ fresh lemon juice
½ cup of good olive oil
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
½ cup chopped basil
Salt/pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes optional to taste
One green bell pepper
One red bell pepper
One yellow bell pepper
Top with grated parmesan cheese, or feta cheese or any cheese you like.
In a large skillet w/ boiling water add asparagus and stirring for 1-2 minutes, pour in ice bath of cold water in large pot in the sink. Let sit in ice until cooled, drain and dry on paper towels.
Seed and chop all the bell peppers, add tomatoes, onions, cooled asparagus and basil. In another small bowl whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard and stir throughout the vegetables in large bowl. Chill in refrigerator until ready to use, and then add your favorite cheese if you like to stir in, I love feta cheese with this salad and like to eat this for dinner; but can be served w/ chicken, fish or meat.