Marinated Asparagus Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2/3 ounce Italian salad dressing mix, prepared according to package directions
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
lettuce leaf, for serving
1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional)

Preparation

Bring about 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan.
Add asparagus, cover and cook until tender, about 6 minutes (Alternatively, you can use 1 1/2 cans (15 ounces each) whole green asparagus spears and skip this step.).
Drain the asparagus and layer it in a shallow glass dish.
Sprinkle each layer with crumbled tarragon leaves, pepper and garlic salt.
Pour salad dressing and vinegar over asparagus, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Serve chilled asparagus on a bed of lettuce leaves.
Top with a dollop of mayonnaise (which you can flavor with some of the dressing), if desired.