Asparagus Provencal Recipes

ROASTED WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH HERBES DE PROVENCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Trim 1 1/2 inches off the bottom of each asparagus stalk. Lay flat on a cutting board and peel off outer layer.
• Transfer to a casserole dish and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper over asparagus.
• Roast in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

PROVENCAL SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish or gratin and rub with a cut side of one of the garlic cloves before you chop the garlic.
• Steam the spinach above an inch of boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, until it is wilted. You will probably have to do this in batches. I like to use a pasta pot with an insert for steaming spinach, as I can get a lot of it into the insert. Rinse briefly with cold water, squeeze gently (you don't have to squeeze dry) and chop.
• In a large bowl, toss together the spinach, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, flour, milk and parsley. Spoon into the gratin dish in an even layer. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
• Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned and the mixture is sizzling. Serve as a starter or a side.

PROVENCAL ASPARAGUS WITH TOMATO (FRENCH)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut a small "x" in the bottom of the tomato. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the tomato and cook it for 30 seconds. Remove it to a bowl of salted iced water. Add the asparagus in the boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Remove the asparagus to the iced water bath to cool down, then drain both the tomato and the asparagus. Peel the tomato, remove the seeds, and roughly chop it. Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the tomato, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the tomato begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the asparagus and cook until is just tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the mixture into an ovenproof casserole and scatter with some Parmesan shavings. Bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

ASPARAGUS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Steam asparagus until tender crisp, drain and pat dry.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil.
• Add the asparagus, tomatoes, garlic and salt and pepper.
• When vegetables are lightly browned, sprinkle them with lemon juice and serve hot as a side dish or cold as a salad.

ASPARAGUS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Preheat an Omelette Pan on medium heat until the rim of the pan is hot-to-the-touch.
• Add the olive oil and heat for another minute.
• Add the garlic, shallots, tomatoes and asparagus.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes and remove from the heat.
• Remove to a serving platter, garnish with the chiffonade of basil, and season with salt and pepper.

SEARED HALIBUT WITH PARMIGIANA ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• For halibut: Preheat a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. Season halibut with salt and pepper and dust with the flour, shaking off the excess. As your butter starts to brown, gently lay each steak in your pan. Allow to cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• For asparagus: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Trim and clean your asparagus. In a large bowl add cleaned asparagus, minced garlic, minced shallots, and extra-virgin olive oil. Season, to taste. Lay prepared asparagus on a half sheet pan and roast until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Right before taking your roasted asparagus out of the oven liberally top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. The heat of your pan should melt your cheese.
• To serve, place 4 pieces of asparagus on a plate, top with golden brown halibut steak. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Garnish with a sprig of chervil or chives

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES PROVENçALE

Steps:

• Using a small regular or swivel-bladed paring knife, peel the artichokes. Cut them into quarter-inch thick slices. There should be about three cups.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the artichoke slices. Cook, stirring and tossing in the oil, about two minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring and tossing, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cover. Cook about eight to 10 minutes and serve.