Griddled Asparagus Piperade Poached Eggs And Grits Recipes

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS, PIPERADE, POACHED EGGS, AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock, butter, and sea salt to taste, and bring to a boil over high heat. Whisk in the grits and stir for 1 minute with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and cook the grits, stirring often, for 20 minutes or until they are tender. Finish the grits with the cream, add more sea salt to taste, and stir well. Cover to keep warm. (I use the waxed paper from a stick of butter for this, placed butter side down over the grits so they don't develop an unseemly crust.)
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic. Slowly cook the garlic over medium-low heat, making sure not to allow any color to develop, for about 5 minutes. Add the shallots, bell peppers, and a few pinches of sea salt. Cook for 12 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, and Espelette pepper. Continue to cook for 15 more minutes or until the consistency is much like a thick soup. Finish with the sherry vinegar and sea salt to taste, and cover and set aside to keep warm. Remove the bay leaves prior to serving.
• Place a large cast-iron sauté pan over medium-high heat. In a mixing bowl, toss the asparagus, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and a few pinches of sea salt. When the pan is giving off a light smoke, place the asparagus in the hot pan and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the asparagus over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. The asparagus should have good, even char marks all around and be crisp-tender. Remove from the heat.
• Spoon the grits evenly onto 4 plates. Place a poached egg on each plate, and arrange the griddled asparagus and pipérade over the top.

GRIDDLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut (or break) off the woody ends from the asparagus. Boil the spears in a large pan of salted water for 3 minutes. Drain, then plunge the spears into ice-cold water to stop the cooking and set the colour. Pat the asparagus dry.
• Oil the spears lightly. Leave a large cast-iron griddle over a high heat until it's very hot, then arrange the spears on it in a single layer. (You may have to griddle the asparagus in two batches.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook the spears for 3-4 minutes. Turn them with tongs and cook for a few more minutes, or until the spears are tender to the point of a knife and lightly gilded.
• Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and sprinkle on a few drops of balsamic vinegar. Serve while still hot, although the spears will also taste very good at room temperature.
• To get ahead, you can prepare the asparagus to the end of step 1 and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

POACHED EGGS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Fill a saucepan half way full of water. Bring to a boil and stir in the bouillon cube until dissolved. Crack one egg into a measuring cup or large spoon and gently slip it into the boiling water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Simmer for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm
• Meanwhile, Place the asparagus into a saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until asparagus is tender, about 4 minutes. Drain.
• Toast the bread to your desired darkness. Spread butter onto each piece of toast. Top with a slice of cheese, then a poached egg and finally, asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

SPRING RAGOUT WITH ASPARAGUS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, preferably enameled cast iron, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium. Add onion, garlic, jalapeno, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add tomatillos and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to soften, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a blender; let cool slightly. Add 2 cups spinach, cilantro stems, and 1/2 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Blend until pureed, adding up to 1/2 cup more water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wipe skillet clean; return to medium heat. Swirl in remaining 1/4 cup oil, add spices, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add scallions, season with salt, and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, tomatillo mixture, asparagus, and remaining 2 cups spinach. Nestle in poached eggs; cover and cook until eggs are heated through and asparagus is bright-green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with oil and top with cilantro leaves; serve.

GRITS AND EGGS WITH PIPERADE

Steps:

• For the grits: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock, grits, sea salt, and butter and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and cook the grits, stirring often, for 30 minutes or until tender.
• For the tomato concasse: To peel the tomato, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Prep the tomatoes by making an X at one end and trimming the other. Drop the tomatoes in boiling water for 10-60 seconds, depending on ripeness, then immediately place in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Peel the tomato skin away; then slice around the seeds and dice to make a traditional concasse.
• Make the piperade: In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil, garlic, and shallots. Slowly cook over medium-low heat, making sure not to allow any color to develop, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, peppers, a pinch of sea salt, the bay leaves, and Espelette pepper. Continue to cook for 20 more minutes or until the consistency is much like a thick soup. While the piperade is cooking, finish the grits with heavy cream, stir, and then cover with a butter wrapper to prevent a film from forming on top. Set aside. Finish the piperade with a pinch of salt, Espelette pepper, and sherry vinegar. Cover and set aside to keep warm. (Remove the bay leaves prior to serving.)
• Poach the eggs: Pour 2 quarts of cold water into your poaching pot and bring to a simmer, until the temperature on a thermometer reads around 180 degrees F. Add distilled white vinegar and a pinch of salt to the water. Find 4 ramekins or teacups in your cupboard. Crack 1 egg into each ramekin. Swirl the water a few times with a large spoon. While the water is still swirling around, gently pour an egg into the water. Start the timer. We are going for 4 minutes for a soft yolk, but if you like firm yolks, go longer. When it's done, spoon the egg onto paper towels to drain; then season with a pinch of salt. Note: Poaching can be done with up to 4 eggs at a time.
• Plate the dish: Spoon grits onto plate and nestle a spoonful of piperade off to the side. Gently place the poached egg on top of the piperade. Finish with a sprinkle of Espelette pepper over the egg. Serve immediately.

EGGS POACHED IN PIPERADE

Steps:

• Cook onion and bell peppers in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet, covered, over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add paprika and garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice and cook, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, 5 to 9 minutes.
• Spread mixture evenly in skillet and make 6 indentations in the mixture with the back of a spoon. Carefully break eggs into each indentation. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper; cover skillet and reduce heat to low. Cook eggs until whites set but yolks are still soft, about 5 minutes.
• Using wide spatula, transfer 2 eggs with vegetable mixture underneath to each plate. Spoon remaining vegetables around eggs. Sprinkle pipérade with feta cheese and serve.

CREAMY, CHEESY GRITS WITH CURRIED POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings., In same saucepan over medium heat, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 7 minutes. Add cheeses, salt and pepper; stir well. Cover and remove from heat., Place 2-3 in. water in a large saucepan or skillet with high sides. Stir in vinegar and curry powder. Bring to a boil; adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Break each cold egg into a separate small bowl; 1 at a time, hold bowls close to surface of water, and slip eggs into water. , Cook eggs, uncovered, until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 3-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift eggs out of water., Meanwhile, divide grits evenly among 4 bowls. Place 1 egg on top of each serving of grits; top with chopped bacon and, if desired, additional shredded cheese. Sprinkle with chives or parsley. Serve immediately.

POACHED EGG OVER GRITS

Steps:

• Fill a high-sided skillet or a wide saucepan with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in vinegar. Break egg into a small shallow bowl or cup. Reduce heat to a high simmer. Lower the bowl with egg just to the edge of the simmering water. Quickly empty egg into the bubbling water. Use a spoon to keep egg white together, if needed. Simmer until yolk is just set, about 4 minutes.
• Remove poached egg with a slotted spoon, and drain it quickly on a paper towel. Place egg over Creamy Calcium Grits. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.