Asparaguswithfontinaandcreamsauce Recipes

ASPARAGUS WITH FONTINA AND CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Clean and snap ends off of asparagus, Cook asparagus.
• While asparagus is cooking, prepare the sauce.
• Melt the butter in a medium-size skillet over medium heat.
• Add the cream and fontina cheese.
• Cook, stirring until the cheese melts and the cream has thickened and reduced by half--1 to 2 minutes.
• Season slightly with salt.
• Drain the asparagus and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place asparagus on platter, spoon on cream sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve at once.

FONDUTA

Steps:

• Heat the milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat, being careful not to scorch the bottom. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl until homogenous, then set aside. When the milk mixture begins to simmer, add 1 ladleful to the eggs and whisk to combine. Repeat with 2 more ladlefuls, making sure to whisk thoroughly between each addition. Pour the egg mixture back into the simmering milk and reduce the heat to low. Cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mascarpone and fontina until melted. Transfer to a serving bowl and shave the truffle on top, if using. Serve with salami, garlic bread or your favorite crudites!

ASPARAGUS PIZZA

Steps:

• Trim 1/2 pound asparagus. Cut each stalk in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Form 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough (at room temperature) into an 11-by-15-inch rectangle on an oiled piece of parchment. Top with the asparagus and 1 cup shredded fontina. Slide the crust (on the parchment) onto a preheated pizza stone or inverted baking sheet. Bake at 475˚ until the bottom is crisp, 12 minutes. Top with pesto and red pepper flakes.

GARLIC CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Gradually add cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese and pepper. Serve over pasta. If desired, garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.

ASPARAGUS AND FONTINA QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Using a vegetable peeler, slice the asparagus lengthwise into long, thin strips, starting just under the tip of each stalk. Leave the tips whole. (Alternatively, cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces.)
• In a pot with a steamer insert or in a covered sauté pan fitted with an expandable steamer basket, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the steamer insert or basket, cover, and steam until tender, about 30 seconds for strips and about 3 minutes for pieces.
• Rinse the asparagus under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir in the Fontina, Gruyère, and reserved asparagus.
• Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.
• Bake until lightly golden and set in the center when the pan is gently pushed, 40 to 45 minutes. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover it with foil to prevent it from burning.
• Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Cut into 6 or 8 slices and serve warm or at room temperature.
• The quiche is best served the day it is made. Tightly wrap leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

ASPARAGUS SAUCE - 2 WAYS

Steps:

• Snap off asparagus tips. Trim & discard the bottom inch of ea asparagus stalk. Peel the stalks, cut into 2-in pieces & set aside.
• Heat butter in a 2 qt saucepan over med heat. Add flour & stir well w/a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to low & cook (stirring often) for about 5 min or till roux has a nutty aromoa, but do not let it brown.
• Whisk in the broth, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Add asparagus stalks, bring to a gentle simmer & cook for 30 minutes.
• Puree using a blender, immersion blender or food proc. Keep warm till ready to use.
• Cook asparagus tips in salted boiling water for 3-5 min or till barely tender. Drain at once, rinse w/cold water to stop cooking process & set aside.
• Just b4 using sauce as desired, add asparagus tips & warm for 3 minutes.
• NOTE #1: If using canned asparagus, drain & reserve liquid. When the roux is ready for addition of the broth, combine the reserved asparagus liquid w/broth to a total volume of 2 cups & add to roux, using additional broth as needed to get desired consistency. This method will concentrate the asparagus flavor. If using it + the broth, you will not need added salt.
• Note #2: Without the fresh asparagus tips, you will not have the visual & textural elements of using fresh asparagus, but the sauce will be rich & flavorful. I favor adding baby shrimp or crisp bacon pieces to get visual & textural elements.
• To Serve: Use sauce to top cheese omelets, cheese grits, a cheese souffle, cheese quesadillas, a baked potato, etc.