Asparagus Appetizer Spear Ecstasy Recipes

ASPARAGUS APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Trim crusts from bread, and flatten slightly with a rolling pin.
• In a bowl, stir blue and cream cheeses together with the egg until well blended and creamy. Spread a thin layer of cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Roll one asparagus spear inside each, and fasten with a toothpick.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan. Roll each asparagus wrap in butter to coat. Place on a baking sheet small enough to fit into the freezer, and freeze for one hour, or until butter hardens and wraps are somewhat firm. Remove pan from freezer, discard toothpicks, and cut each wrap in half crosswise. Store in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer until ready to use.
• To serve, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• Arrange frozen asparagus wraps on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Check occasionally, and turn if necessary, for even browning and to prevent burning. Enjoy!

LEMONY MARINATED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap or trim the tough ends of the asparagus and discard. Wash asparagus thoroughly.
• Fill a large bowl with water and ice. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot filled 3/4 of the way full with water to a full boil. Immerse asparagus and cook for about two minutes, until bright green.
• Plunge asparagus in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain.
• Lay asparagus in an 8 x 8 baking dish or container.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasons if desired.
• Pour vinaigrette over asparagus. Cover dish and refrigerate for 8 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Remove asparagus from marinade and serve.

SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the onion powder, seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add asparagus spears, stir gently to coat. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

ASPARAGUS APPETIZER ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, bacon and green onion. Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin; spread tops with cream cheese mixture. Trim asparagus 2 in. longer than bread. Place two spears on each slice; roll up bread and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS APPETIZER - SPEAR ECSTASY

Steps:

• To make Dipping Sauce: Mix well the sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, capers, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk.
• Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Steam asparagus until fork tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Mix Ice Bath together in large bowl. Plunge asparagus into ice water and let sit until cold.
• (I personally skipped the water bath and just let steamed asparagus drain in colander until cooled.) Transfer to paper towel to drain.
• Refrigerate.
• Serve chilled asparagus with dipping sauce.
• Note Do Ahead tips: The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and regrigerated. The asparagus can be prepared 1 day in advance and refrigerated.

SPEAR ECSTASY

Steps:

• To Make Dipping Sauce: Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, lemon juice, capers, lemon zest, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Cook the asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water until tender when pierced with a fork, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix the ice, water, and kosher salt together in a large bowl. Remove the asparagus from the steamer and refresh it by plunging it into the ice water. Let sit until cold. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to dry. Refrigerate. Serve chilled with the dipping sauce.

CRUNCH CRAZY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare the asparagus by trimming off the tough woody stem.
• Set up a breading station by whipping the egg whites and mayonnaise together (the mayonnaise helps the whites stick to the asparagus). Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
• In a separate, dish add the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and paprika. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix. Dip each asparagus spear in the egg wash and then coat evenly in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place the spears on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with some olive oil (this will help them crisp up).
• Bake until golden and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Serve immediately.

ECSTASY

Steps:

• Puree blue cheese, 1/3 cup oil, lemon juice and cream in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a serving cup.
• Place garlic, parsley, 1/3 cup oil, sherry, hot sauce and lime juice in a bowl and stir. Pour some of the sauce into a skillet and set on medium heat.
• Place the shrimp in the skillet. Saute until the shrimp turn pink on both sides.
• Place the shrimp on top of the lettuce on a plate. Put the cup of blue cheese dip on the side.

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Trim the asparagus stalks so that the spears are 5 inches long. In a deep skillet, bring 1 1/2 inches of salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until they are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. in a colander, drain the asparagus and rinse under cold water. Dry the asparagus well on paper towels.
• In a small bowl, mash the Boursin with a fork until it is smooth. Cut 1 slice of prosciutto lengthwise into 1-inch strips and spread each strip with about 1/2 teaspoon Boursin. Spread about 1/4 teaspoon mustard over the Boursin and wrap each strip in a spiral around an asparagus spear, trimming any excess. Make more hors d'oeuvres with the remaining prosciutto, Boursin, mustard, and asparagus spears in the same manner.

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Trim the asparagus stalks so that the spears are 5 inches long. In a deep skillet bring 1 1/2 inches salted water to a boil and cook the asparagus until they are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. In a colander drain the asparagus and rinse under cold water. Drain the asparagus well on paper towels.
• In a bowl mash the Boursin with a fork until it is smooth. Cut 1 slice of prosciutto lengthwise into 1-inch strips and spread each strip with about 1/2 teaspoon Boursin. Spread about 1/4 teaspoon mustard over the Boursin and wrap each strip in a spiral around an asparagus spear, trimming any excess. Make more hors d'oeuvres with the remaining prosciutto, Boursin, mustard, and asparagus spears in the same manner.

BEER-BATTERED PROSCUITTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS APPETIZER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add asparagus; parboil for about 30 seconds for thin spears and up to 3 minutes for thick spears. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
• Heat about 2 inches oil in a deep-sided pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Lay 2 to 3 slices of prosciutto next to each other, slightly overlapping. Place an asparagus spear on top and roll up in the prosciutto. Repeat until all spears are rolled.
• Mix beer, flour, egg, salt, and pepper together in a shallow bowl. Dip wrapped spears in the batter and place several at a time in the hot oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the other side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to catch the excess oil. Continue frying the remaining spears.