Asparagusbeansarugulasaladwithmustardvinaigrette Recipes

PAPPARDELLE WITH SAUSAGE RAGU

Steps:

• Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sausage and cook, stirring often and breaking apart the sausage with the back of a wooden spoon, until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the onion, carrot and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant and the vegetables are almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Deglaze with the wine, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and cheese rind. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season the water generously with salt. Add the Pappardelle and cook until the pasta is floating and barely al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain well.
• Remove and discard the Parmesan rind from the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce and sprinkle the bare pasta with the Parmesan cheese and basil. Add 1/2 cup pasta water and toss well to coat, adding more pasta water as needed to maintain a light sauce. Serve with more Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
• In a large bowl, combine the 00 and semolina flours and salt and form a well. Add the egg and yolks to the center of the well. Using a fork, slowly start to incorporate the flour into the eggs to form a rough dough. You may add a splash of water if the dough is too dry or a dusting of flour if it is too wet.
• Lightly flour a smooth work surface and pour the dough onto the flour. Knead the dough until it springs back when you press a finger into it, 10 to 12 minutes. Flatten the dough into an even square. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Cut the dough into 3 pieces. Set up a pasta roller according to the manufacturer's directions and set it at the widest setting. Dust one section of the dough with semolina flour and press firmly to flatten the dough to 1/4 inch. Roll the dough through the machine on the widest setting. Fold the pasta dough in thirds and dust the outside with flour. Send it through the widest setting again. Reduce the setting to the next setting. Send the dough through the machine. Fold it in thirds once again and send through the setting one more time. Continue sending the dough through the machine, reducing the setting each time, until the desired thickness is reached, about 1/8 inch. Lay the sheet out on the counter and dust with flour. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut strips 1 inch by 10 inches. Dust the strips with more flour. Continue with the remaining dough.

ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Place asparagus in a steamer basket set over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam until just tender. Remove and transfer to ice-water bath until cool. Remove and pat dry. Place asparagus on a platter (or divide between 6 individual plates); set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together shallot, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and vinegar. While whisking constantly, add the oil in a slow, steady stream until completely incorporated. Whisk in the herbs. Drizzle vinaigrette over asparagus. Serve immediately.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS WITH ARUGULA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus. Using a mandolin, sharp vegetable peeler or thin-bladed knife, slice the asparagus lengthwise into paper-thin ribbons.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil to make a dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper
• Place the asparagus ribbons in a shallow salad bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper and coat with half the dressing. Add the arugula, tossing gently to distribute the asparagus. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.
• With a vegetable peeler, shave thin curls of Parmesan over the salad. Accompany with a platter of sliced prosciutto, if desired.

ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer.
• Fit the basket in the steamer.
• Steam the asparagus over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, until bright green and tender.
• Remove from heat and let asparagus cool in the steamer.
• Combine yogurt and blue cheese in a small saucepan.
• Warm over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, just until the blue cheese has melted.
• Remove pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, chives, and garlic.
• Arrange the asparagus in the center of a serving plate and ring with the tomato wedges.
• Drizzle the yogurt dressing over the asparagus.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with fennel leaves.

ASPARAGUS, BEANS & ARUGULA SALAD WITH MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Asparagus -- In a small sauce pan, fill with about 1" or a bit less of water and salt and bring to a low boil. Add the asparagus and cook, just 2-3 minutes depending on it's thickness. Then immediately remove and add to a ice bath. Just a bowl of water with ice. This will stop the cooking and keep the asparagus a bright green color (call blanching). Just let them cool off in the ice bath for a minute then remove and let drain and dry.
• Vinaigrette -- Just mix the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, lemon, sugar, salt, and pepper. I like to use a small tupperware and then I just shake it up. You can also mix it in a small measuring cup or bowl. Whatever is easier for you.
• Salad -- In a small bowl, I like to add the beans (drained and rinsed), asparagus, dill, and just a couple of teaspoons of the vinaigrette (not too much) and toss well.
• Greens -- On your serving platter, I add the arugula, micro greens, onion and a squeeze of one of the lemon wedges and another couple of spoons of the vinaigrette and toss lightly. Then top with the asparagus and bean mixture. Just lightly toss.
• Top the whole thing with the pecorino romano, a sprig of dill and the lemon slices around the side.
• Serve -- Grill some salmon or possibly chicken - slice and top the salad. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. This makes an amazing dinner.

ASPARAGUS-MUSHROOM FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper. In a 10-in. ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add asparagus, onion, red pepper and mushrooms; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion and pepper are tender., Remove from heat; remove asparagus from skillet. Reserve eight spears; cut remaining asparagus into 2-in. pieces. Return cut asparagus to skillet; stir in egg mixture. Arrange reserved asparagus spears over eggs to resemble spokes of a wheel., Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until eggs are completely set. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into wedges.