Spear Ecstasy Recipes

ASPARAGUS APPETIZER - SPEAR ECSTASY

Steps:

• To make Dipping Sauce: Mix well the sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, capers, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk.
• Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Steam asparagus until fork tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Mix Ice Bath together in large bowl. Plunge asparagus into ice water and let sit until cold.
• (I personally skipped the water bath and just let steamed asparagus drain in colander until cooled.) Transfer to paper towel to drain.
• Refrigerate.
• Serve chilled asparagus with dipping sauce.
• Note Do Ahead tips: The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and regrigerated. The asparagus can be prepared 1 day in advance and refrigerated.

ARTICHOKE LEAVES WITH PARMESAN-BASIL AIOLI

Steps:

• Cut the stems of the artichokes off flush with the bottom of the leaves. Trim about an inch off the top end. Remove the small-funky leaves from around the bottoms and trim the remaining leaves with scissors to remove the thorns on the top. To prevent discoloration, rub all of the cut surfaces with the lemon. Cook in a steamer with the lemon you used to rub the artichokes with until tender and leaves can be pulled off easily, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool.
• Combine the mayonnaise (Best Foods brand if you are on the west coast or Hellman's if you are on the east), Parmesan, basil, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper in a small bowl. Refrigerate until chilled.
• Remove the leaves from the artichokes, starting at the base, until the center is reached. For this dish you will only be using the leaves sturdy enough to hold the aioli, but save the less sturdy ones for your chef's treat after the guests go home. Using a spoon, scrape off the choke and discard. Cut off any tough areas on the bottom of the hearts. Finely chop the hearts and add to the mayonnaise mixture.
• Place 1 teaspoon of the mayonnaise mixture on each artichoke leaf and arrange leaves in an eye pleasing manner on a platter or tray. Garnish with the parsley.

ECSTASY

Steps:

• Puree blue cheese, 1/3 cup oil, lemon juice and cream in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a serving cup.
• Place garlic, parsley, 1/3 cup oil, sherry, hot sauce and lime juice in a bowl and stir. Pour some of the sauce into a skillet and set on medium heat.
• Place the shrimp in the skillet. Saute until the shrimp turn pink on both sides.
• Place the shrimp on top of the lettuce on a plate. Put the cup of blue cheese dip on the side.

CRUNCH CRAZY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare the asparagus by trimming off the tough woody stem.
• Set up a breading station by whipping the egg whites and mayonnaise together (the mayonnaise helps the whites stick to the asparagus). Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
• In a separate, dish add the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and paprika. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix. Dip each asparagus spear in the egg wash and then coat evenly in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place the spears on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with some olive oil (this will help them crisp up).
• Bake until golden and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Serve immediately.