Clean and trim asparagus. Place on a cookie sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt & pepper and broil in the oven for 7 minutes. When cooking is complete, set aside to cool.
Set oven to 450°. Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a pan. When butter is melted, add the walnuts. Stir together. Add brown sugar. Allow butter and brown sugar to melt as you stir with the walnuts. Don’t cook on too high of heat. You don’t want the butter to burn. When all married together, pour walnuts, butter and sugar on to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Put in oven and cook approximately 8-10 minutes. Watch closely so they don’t burn. After cooking set aside to cool.
Place washed baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Cut asparagus in bite-sized pieces. Layer on the top of the spinach in a row. Add feta cheese on top of the spinach, in a row next to the asparagus. Add the dried cranberries in the next row. Add the walnuts in the last row.
This salad is great to take to a party. Take as assembled. When you get ready to serve, toss the entire salad with the homemade dressing. Or, allow guests to add their own desired amount of dressing. Enjoy!
