Asparaguswithbutterlemonandmintdrizzle Recipes

ASPARAGUS WITH MEYER LEMON BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup panko and 1 teaspoon chopped thyme and cook, stirring, until browned, 3 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons grated pecorino, 2 tablespoons chopped chives and 2 teaspoons Meyer lemon zest; season with salt and pepper and set aside. Cook 2 pounds trimmed asparagus in salted boiling water until crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons butter and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter and top with the panko mixture.

CAVATELLI WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND FRESH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain, 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, Parmesan and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside.
• Once the water has boiled, add the cavatelli and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic, then add the sliced asparagus and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Add the remaining asparagus juice and the remaining tablespoon lemon juice and cook until the pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper.

ASPARAGUS WITH BUTTER LEMON AND MINT DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Simmer, steam or roast the asparagus until tender but still firm.
• Use a paper towel to remove any residual water from the asparagus.
• Place the butter in a microwave proof container (I use a glass measuring cup) along with the lemon juice and chopped mint.
• While the asparagus is cooking warm the butter to the point where it's not quite all melted.
• Remove from the microwave and stir to finish melting the butter and mix the lemon juice and mint nicely together.
• Drizzle the butter mixture over the still hot asparagus.
• Sprinkle the lemon zest over the top if using.

POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• If cooking polenta on stovetop: In a medium pot over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how finely the polenta is ground (coarse-ground polenta takes longer).
• Alternatively, cook polenta in oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over high heat, bring 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a stir. If it looks dry, add another 1/2 cup water. Cover the pot once more, and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• When polenta is thick and creamy, stir in 2 to 4 of the tablespoons butter (depending on how buttery you like it) and the Parmesan. Taste and add more Parmesan and salt, if needed.
• As the polenta cooks, prepare the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or two, until fragrant and very lightly golden in spots. Add vermouth and cook until alcohol evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus and peas, and cook until vegetables are glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 8 minutes. (Thicker asparagus will take longer to soften.) Stir in the mint. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon polenta into bowls, top with vegetables and their sauce, and grind on lots of fresh pepper. Finish with shaved Parmesan.

MINTED LEMON ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice and mint. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the asparagus into the boiling water for about 45 seconds, then remove to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the asparagus, and place on a serving plate. Drizzle with the lemon mixture, and sprinkle cheese over the top.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS, MINT AND LEMON

Steps:

• Remove tips from asperagus and slice stalks into thin disks.
• Pour stock and water into medium saucepan and heat to low simmer. In 3-quart or larger pot, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft and translucent. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until all the grains are well-coated. Quickly pour in vermouth or wine and stir until it has evaporated.
• Turn heat down to medium low and begin adding warmed stock to rice a ladleful (about 1/2 cup) at a time, stirring after each addition and waiting until the stock has been absorbed before adding more. Stir often enough to prevent rice from sticking to pan.
• When about half the stock has been absorbed, stir in asparagus slices and tips, then continue adding stock by the ladleful and stirring until it is absorbed. About 20 minutes after you began the process, taste rice for doneness. It should be tender, but not mushy, with a bit of crunch at the center. You may not need to add all the stock. The end texture should be creamy and slightly loose.
• Turn off heat and stir in remaining butter, cheese, mint and lemon zest and juice. Check seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Cover pan and let risotto rest for a few minutes before serving. Pass additional Parmesan at the table.

ASPARAGUS, LEMON, AND MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Cut tips from 6 asparagus spears, about 1 1/2 inches from the top; reserve for garnish later. Chop the remaining asparagus into chunks.
• Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat; cook and stir shallot in the hot oil until softened, about 3 minutes. Add chopped asparagus; season with mint, salt, and pepper. Cook until asparagus are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.
• Pour chicken stock into asparagus mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until asparagus are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in lemon zest.
• Blend soup using a hand blender or a food processor until smooth.
• Bring a small pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook asparagus tips in the boiling water until just turning bright green, about 2 minutes. Strain asparagus tips and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Garnish soup with asparagus tips and hard-boiled egg.

ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Bring 2 inches salted water to a boil in a wide (10-inch) saucepan or skillet.
• Place asparagus in saucepan; cook until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander.
• Return asparagus to pan; toss with butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Make the butter: Melt butter with mint, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat until just bubbling around edges.
• Make the asparagus: Cook asparagus in a pot of salted boiling water until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
• Drizzle a few tablespoons mint butter over asparagus, and toss gently to coat. Garnish with mint leaves.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON AND DILL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and browned in spots, 20 minutes. Toss with red-pepper flakes, dill and lemon zest.

ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON AND MINT

Steps:

• In large pot of boiling salted water, cook asparagus 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain in colander; dry on paper towel.
• In serving bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add hot aspargus. Toss mixture to bring to room temperature.
• Just before serving, stir in mint and lemon juice.
• Serve at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS IN LEMON-THYME BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute asparagus and mushrooms in butter and oil until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients.

BUTTER-BRAISED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of the asparagus spears. If using large, thick asparagus, peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler.
• Put butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the asparagus is firm-tender, about 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook them; they should still be bright green. (They will continue to cook a bit once the heat is off.) Remove the asparagus from the pan and place on a serving platter.
• Turn heat to high and simmer briskly until most of the liquid has evaporated, a minute or so. Add lemon juice and zest to the buttery juices. Turn off heat and stir in chives, parsley, tarragon and dill, if using. Check seasoning. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, garnish with a few herb leaves, and serve.