Spring Asparagus And Asiago Gratin Recipes

ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Steps:

• Set oven to 375F Butter a gratin dish.
• Wash and trim the ends off the asparagus. If the stalks are thin, just arrange them in your gratin dish. If the stalks are thick, you'll want to pre-cook them just a bit. Blanch them in boiling water for about a minute or so to tenderize it a bit. Bring water to a boil, add the asparagus, and start timing right then. Drain and arrange in your gratin dish.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan, and whisk in the flour. Cook for just a minute, but don't let it brown. Then whisk in the milk and cream and blend well. Add the nutmeg, salt and pepper and continue heating until the sauce thickens, stirring or whisking constantly.
• Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the cheeses until the they melt and the sauce is smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the asparagus and bake for about 30 minutes, or until bubbling and beginning to brown. Toward the end of cooking, top the gratin with the breadcrumbs. Note: I top with the breadcrumbs about halfway through cooking so they don't brown too much.
• Serve asap!

ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Steps:

• Place an oven rack on one of the top two shelves, then preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 3 or 4-quart casserole dish with cooking spray, butter or olive oil.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook the asparagus, in batches if necessary, until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Drain through a colander, shaking off any excess water, then transfer to the baking dish. Toss with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• In the same pot, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture develops a nutty fragrance and darkens slightly, 2-3 minutes (this is known as a roux). Whisk in the half-and-half, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk until thick, 4-5 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat, then add the cheese in handfuls, whisking until smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over asparagus.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet, then stir in the panko and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over the cheese sauce.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then turn on the broiler. Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown (watch closely to make sure they don't burn).
• Serve warm.

ASPARAGUS ASIAGO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Put asparagus on a baking sheet, and drizzle with oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
• Spread in one layer.
• Roast 15 mins., or until tips are lightly browned, and just fork tender.
• Shave cheese onto asparagus. Toss gently.

ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Steps:

• Butter a 2- to 2 1/2-quart shallow ceramic flameproof baking dish.
• Cook asparagus in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, then transfer to baking dish and keep warm, tightly covered with foil.
• Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until foam subsides, then cook shallots, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add bread and pine nuts and cook, stirring, until browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add pepper, 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing to combine.
• Preheat broiler.
• Toss warm asparagus with mascarpone, remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until combined well.
• Sprinkle bread-crumb mixture evenly over asparagus. Broil 5 to 7 inches from heat until topping is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.