Springtime Asparagus Recipes

SPRING ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, covered, until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes; cover and keep warm. , Place vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion, salt and paprika in a blender; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Toss with asparagus mixture. Top with almonds and, if desired, cheese.

SPRING ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the puff pastry to a 9- by 12-inch even rectangle. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Combine the mascarpone, 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt, the flour, egg and lemon zest, and then fold in the chives and tarragon. Spread over the puff pastry, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Make small cuts around the border about 1 inch apart with the tip of a paring knife.
• Toss the asparagus with the olive oil in a bowl. Lay half of the asparagus in a neat row across the surface of the tart so the tips meet the edge. Do the same in the opposite direction with the remaining asparagus. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Bake until the border of the tart is deep golden and puffed and the top is lightly spotted golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.
• Serve with lightly dressed greens.

SPRING ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and mustard. Drizzle in the peanut oil and sesame oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify. Set aside.
• Bring a pot of lightly-salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the water and cook 3 to 5 minutes until just tender, but still mostly firm. Remove and rinse under cold water to stop from cooking any further.
• Place the asparagus in a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the asparagus. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to serve.

SPRINGTIME ASPARAGUS AND PARMESAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Place the asparagus and 1/3 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave on High 1 minute, or just until tender. Rinse under cold water, and blot dry with paper towels.
• Spread 1 side of 6 bread slices with 1/4 teaspoon butter and about 1 tablespoon mayonnaise each. Layer with asparagus, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Place lettuce over the asparagus, season with pepper, and top with remaining 6 bread slices to form 6 sandwiches. Slice on a diagonal; this is a sandwich that exudes spring !

SPRING ASPARAGUS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan cook the asparagus, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 2 minutes.
• Drain; set aside.
• In a small bowl stir together the grated Parmesan and basil.
• Sprinkle a work surface with half of the mixture.
• Roll out pizza dough on the surface to a 12-inch square.
• Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan mixture.
• Using a rolling pin, gently press into dough by rolling over top.
• Turn dough into prepared pan.
• Press dough up the sides of the pan, folding under edges as needed to form sides that are 2 inches high.
• Line dough in pan with a double thickness of foil.
• Bake for 8 minutes.
• Remove foil.
• Bake 5 minutes more.
• Remove from oven.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet cook bacon until crisp.
• Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings.
• Crumble bacon; set aside.
• Cook onion in reserved drippings over medium heat until tender but not brown; drain.
• In a medium mixing bowl stir together eggs, milk, salt, and nutmeg.
• Stir in crumbled bacon and onion.
• Toss together Swiss cheese and flour.
• Add to egg mixture; mix well.
• Pour egg mixture into the dough-lined pan.
• Toss asparagus halves with the oil.
• Arrange asparagus in a spokeline pattern on top of egg mixture.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• Remove sides of pan to serve.
• Top with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Makes 6 main-dish servings.