Ribboned Asparagus Caesar Salad Recipes

LEMONY SALMON AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Using a sharp peeler, peel the asparagus into ribbons and add to a large bowl. Add the snow peas, mint, pistachios, feta, lemon juice and zest, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and toss gently. Set aside.
• Heat a large nonstick pan over a medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the salmon fillets on both sides with the lemon pepper. Cook the salmon until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook to desired doneness, about another 2 to 4 minutes, depending on thickness of your fillets.
• Serve family style, placing the salad on a platter with the salmon on top. Place the Fried Eggs over the salmon and garnish with balsamic glaze and mint leaves. Or serve individual portions on 4 plates.
• Heat some oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. There should be just enough oil to cover the edges of the eggs when they are cracked into the skillet.
• Once the oil is mildly hot, crack in the eggs one at a time. Cook until the eggs begin to turn white, then use a small spoon to carefully spoon the hot oil over only the whites of the eggs (avoiding the yolks). This will help the whites cook slowly so the tops will set but still look pretty. Important: Don't spoon any oil over the yolks yet! Only spoon oil over the whites for now to prevent the eggs from turning cloudy.
• After a minute or two of cooking, once the whites are set and not jiggly or loose, carefully spoon the oil over the yolks. Continue spooning the oil over the eggs until they appear to be done to your liking.
• Remove the eggs from the skillet with a slotted spatula, then drain them briefly on a paper towel before serving.

RIBBONED ASPARAGUS CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS Whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, anchovy fillets, garlic, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Add the egg, a few sprinkles of the cheese, lots of black pepper, and the lemon juice. Whisk to emulsify. Taste the dressing, first by itself and then on a ribbon of asparagus; adjust to taste. Add the asparagus ribbons to a second mixing bowl and drizzle with a small amount of dressing. Sprinkle on the remainder of the grated parmigiano-reggiano and toss to coat. Add more dressing, tasting along the way (you'll likely have extra), until the asparagus is dressed to your liking. Divvy up the salad among the plates and garnish with a few shavings of parmigiano-reggiano. Serves one to two, with extra dressing left over.

CAESAR SALAD WITH TORTELLINI AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a 4 quart dutch oven.
• Add tortelllini and asparagus and cook for 4 minutes, drain; rinse in cold water, and drain. Set aside.
• Place lettuce, tortellini, and asparagus in a large bowl; add dressing, tossing gently. Add parmesan and croutons. Serve.

WHOLE CRISPY ROAST CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS CAESAR

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Zest the lemon into a bowl. Season the cavity of the chicken, cut the zested lemon in half and push into the cavity. Put the butter in the bowl with the lemon zest, add the garlic and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mash together, then push under the skin of the breast using your fingers. Season the skin and drizzle with a good glug of olive oil. Roast for 30 mins, then reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and cook the chicken for a further 50 mins-1 hr or until cooked through. Once cooked, cover and rest for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, for the dressing, whisk the egg yolk, anchovies, garlic and Dijon together in a bowl. Gradually whisk in both oils, then whisk in the lemon juice and, if it's a little thick, 50ml warm water, followed by the cheese and a good pinch of seasoning.
• Toss the sourdough pieces with the 1 tbsp olive oil and spread out on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 mins or until golden.
• Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the simmer. Add the asparagus and cook for 2-3 mins. Drain and leave to steam-dry for a few minutes.
• Carve the chicken. Remove both legs and cut the breast into 1cm slices. Arrange on a platter with the asparagus. Top with the croutons, two-thirds of the dressing (save the rest for leftovers - see tip below), the shaved parmesan and a grinding of black pepper.

PERFECT CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the bread out on a baking tray and bake for about 12 mins until golden and crisp, then leave to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the 10 anchovy fillets with the vinegar, mustard and garlic, and purée until smooth. Add the egg and pulse until just incorporated. With the machine on, gradually drizzle in the vegetable oil until it emulsifies to create a creamy dressing. Scrape the dressing into a bowl and stir in the cheese. Season, cover with cling film and put in the fridge until well chilled and thickened, at least 30 mins.
• In a very large bowl, toss the chilled lettuce leaves with half the dressing, gently rubbing the dressing onto the leaves with your hands. (Save the remaining dressing for another salad or to serve with grilled chicken.) Divide the dressed lettuce between chilled bowls and scatter the croutons on top. Garnish with anchovy fillets and serve right away, passing round the extra cheese at the table.