Pickled Chive Blossoms And Asparagus Recipes

ASPARAGUS, SNAP PEAS & CHIVE BLOSSOM PASTA

Steps:

• Mix together the lemon juice and mustard. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the radishes, asparagus, snap peas, chives, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the green vegetables are tender but still have a vibrant bite. Stir in the garlic and the white wine and cook for 1 minute to slightly reduce the wine.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the pasta. Add the lemon-mustard mixture, the reserved pasta water, ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese, and the lemon zest. Toss until coated. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Transfer to a platter and garnish with the chive blossoms and the thyme flowers. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and serve with the remaining ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese.

CHILLED BEETS AND ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC CHIVE BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• First, a note on beets: they'll stain anything! Make sure you wear gloves as you're peeling the beets unless you want your hands to be an attractive magenta color!
• Place the quartered beets in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Place over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to medium and let the beets cook for about 20 minutes or just until fork tender. Drain the beets and run them under cold water. Drain and set aside. As you're doing this, get another pot of water boiling and drop the prepped asparagus into it for just 2 minutes. Drain the asparagus and run it under cold water immediately. This is called blanching. Drain and add to the beets.
• In yet another saucepan, add the water, orange blossom water, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the glaze has reduced by half and has thickened slightly. Toss with the vegetables, and add the roughly chopped garlic chives. Top with the chive blossoms and crumbled goat cheese and serve as a first course on a bed of mixed greens.

CHILLED BEETS AND ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC CHIVE BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• First, a note on beets: they'll stain anything! Make sure you wear gloves as you're peeling the beets unless you want your hands to be an attractive magenta color!
• Place the quartered beets in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Place over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to medium and let the beets cook for about 20 minutes or just until fork tender. Drain the beets and run them under cold water. Drain and set aside. As you're doing this, get another pot of water boiling and drop the prepped asparagus into it for just 2 minutes. Drain the asparagus and run it under cold water immediately. This is called blanching. Drain and add to the beets.
• In yet another saucepan, add the water, orange blossom water, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the glaze has reduced by half and has thickened slightly. Toss with the vegetables, and add the roughly chopped garlic chives. Top with the chive blossoms and crumbled goat cheese and serve as a first course on a bed of mixed greens.

CHARGRILLED ASPARAGUS & SPRING ONIONS WITH CHIVE FLOWERS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle pan over a very high heat and add the olive oil - place the asparagus spears & spring onions in the pan, being careful that the oil does not spit and burn you.
• Cook for 2 to 4 minutes on one side, depending on the thickness and then turn over and continue to cook for a further 2 to 4 minutes. You are aiming for charred, but not burnt!
• Just before the end add the Balsamic vinegar and a little more oil if needed.
• Serve straight away with chopped fresh chives and chive flowers sprinkled over the top, and a lemon wedge per serving.

QUICK-PICKLED SPICY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place trimmed asparagus in a quart-sized canning jar. Add garlic, pepper flakes, mustard seed, and peppercorns.
• Combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off.
• Pour vinegar mixture over the asparagus. Screw on the lid and let sit until lid has sealed, about 1 hour.
• Place in the refrigerator until pickled, at least 2 days.

PICKLE ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Place the asparagus and water in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a bowl. Combine the pickle, oil, lemon juice, pickle juice, chives, salt and pepper; pour over asparagus and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour., Use a slotted spoon to serve the asparagus on lettuce-lined plates. Top with tomato and egg slices; drizzle with some of the dressing.

PICKLED SPRING ONIONS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring 3 3/4 cups water, the vinegar, coriander seeds, lemon zest, bay leaves, 2 tablespoons salt, and the sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add onions, and return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes.
• Divide asparagus between two 1-quart jars. Add onions, and divide liquid between jars. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 day and up to 1 month.

PICKLED CHIVE BLOSSOMS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Add asparagus, to boiling water and cook uncovered until barely tender (5 to 7) minutes.
• Drain.
• Pack flowers with vegetables in a glass container that has a lid.
• Combine white wine, water and sugar or honey in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Pour hot liquid over asparagus and chive blossoms to cover them.
• Cover the jar and shake to release any trapped bubbles.
• Chill at least overnight and up to 2 weeks.