White Asparagus And Morel Sauté Recipes

SAUTé OF WHITE ASPARAGUS, MORELS, AND RAMPS OVER POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Snap off the ends of the asparagus (they will break naturally where their toughness begins), and peel the stalks.
• Clean the ramps and prepare the ramps according to the method described on page 33.
• Blanch the asparagus in heavily salted boiling water about 5 minutes, until tender. To test for doneness, take a spear out of the water, cut a small piece off the end, and taste it. (Remember, the spears will continue to cook a little as they cool.) Carefully remove the asparagus to a baking sheet to cool.
• If the morels are large, cut them in half.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. (If you don't have a pan that's large enough to hold all of the vegetables, heat two pans and divide ingredients accordingly.) Add 4 tablespoons butter to the pan, and when it foams, scatter the morels into the pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Sauté the mushrooms 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Turn down the heat to medium, and add the thyme, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Let the mushrooms cook another 6 to 8 minutes. They should be crispy on the outside, yet still tender. (The amount of cooking time really depends on the mushrooms; sometimes they give off water, which will require a longer cooking time, to allow the water to evaporate and the morels to crisp.)
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the mushrooms, and place the blanched asparagus carefully in the pan. Toss to coat the asparagus in all the mushroomy brown butter, and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the ramps to the pan, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook another 2 minutes, tossing often so all the flavors meld and everything is coated in the butter. Taste for seasoning.
• Spoon the polenta onto a large warm platter. Using tongs, arrange the asparagus and ramps, randomly overlapping them over the polenta. Spoon the morels and all the butter over the top, and scatter the parsley over everything.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring 5 1/2 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add the polenta slowly, whisking continuously. Turn the heat down to low, and continue cooking for another 20 minutes, whisking often. Add another 1/2 cup water and cook 1 more hour, whisking often and adding 1/2 cup water as needed, about every 20 minutes. The flame should be low, so that the polenta is barely simmering. As you whisk, make sure that you reach the bottom of the pan to prevent the polenta from scorching. I like to use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot.
• Whisk in the butter, and taste for seasoning. Even when the polenta is finished, you might sense it thickening up a little. If so, add a little more water and whisk to get the right consistency. If you're not serving right away, cover the pan with plastic wrap to keep the polenta from thickening or losing moisture. If necessary, rewarm over low heat before serving.
• You can blanch the asparagus and ramps a few hours ahead.

CHARLIE PALMER'S ASPARAGUS WITH MOREL RAGOUT

Steps:

• Place the asparagus in the top half of the steamer over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 6 minutes or until asparagus is just tender but still bright green. Immediately remove and refresh under cold running water. Drain well, pat and dry. Set aside. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute for about 5 minutes or until the leeks are beginning to soften. Add the morels, chicken stock, wine, and salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat and cook, stirring frequently, for about 26 minutes or until the leeks are almost melted and the liquid has reduced to a sauce-like consistency. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the chives and the parsley. Taste and, if necessary, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Place the asparagus on a serving plate. Spoon the Morel Ragout over the top of the rice and garnish with the remaining chives.

SAUTéED ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Drain and slice the morels: Drain and rinse the morels one more time. Then slice them crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• cook asparagus separately in boiling water or in microwave until tender, 3-5 minutes.
• refresh under cols water.pat dry.
• heat 3 tbsp butter in large skillet, add shallots and cook until softened. add morels and saute 5 minutes more.
• add asparagus, tarragon, salt and pepper and continue cooking until heated through.
• add remaining butter and remove from heat.
• stir in lemon juice and garnish with tarragon.

MOREL AND ASPARAGUS SAUTé D'AOUST

Steps:

• Halve morels lengthwise or quarter if large. In a bowl of cold water briefly wash morels and drain on paper towels. Trim asparagus and diagonally cut into 1-inch-long pieces.
• In a 10-inch heavy skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook morels, asparagus, and shallot, stirring, until asparagus is barely tender, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, 2 minutes. Add consommé and water and bring to a boil, stirring. Simmer mixture, stirring, 2 minutes and season with salt and pepper.