Andalusian Asparagus Esparragos A La Andaluza Food

ASPARAGUS WITH MUSTARD HOLLANDAISE

Steps:

• Cook 2 bunches jumbo asparagus (trimmed and peeled) in salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes; drain. Combine 2 egg yolks and 1 tablespoon each lemon juice and hot water in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 1 to 3 minutes (remove from the heat if the eggs start to scramble). Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 sticks cut-up butter until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in 4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard; season with salt and cayenne. Thin with lemon juice as needed. Serve over the asparagus.

ENSALADA DE ESPARRAGOS

Steps:

• Marinade: Cut strips of lemon peel from half a lemon. Crush the garlic cloves, and combine with the lemon peel and ¼ cup of the olive oil in a shallow baking dish. For the asparagus, trim and discard the tough ends; if the asparagus are fat, cut the stalks in half lengthwise. Set aside with the trimmed scallion bulbs. Heat a large griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, lay the asparagus and scallions on the dry griddle in a single, uncrowded layer; let them sizzle for about 30 seconds. Season with salt, then drizzle with olive oil.
• While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the mushrooms for the salad. Remove the stems from the fresh mushrooms and thinly slice the caps; you'll need about ¾ cup sliced mushrooms. (Optional: Reserve stems to make mushroom stock.) Remove the soaked morel mushrooms from the hot water, reserving the liquid. Flip the vegetables to brown the other side. Then prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together the mushroom soaking liquid, ¼ cup white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper, and ¾ cup of the olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.Remove the vegetables from the griddle and add to the garlic-lemon peel marinade; stir to coat.
• Add the fresh and soaked mushrooms to the hot, dry griddle. Season with salt and pepper, then add a drizzle of olive oil and the butter, evenly distributed. Cook on the griddle for about 2 minutes, adding a bit more olive oil as needed. Just before removing them from heat, finish the mushrooms with the remaining tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Add mushrooms to the marinated asparagus and set aside.
• To soft-boil the eggs, bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the water; set a timer for 6½ minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath to shock the eggs.As the eggs are cooking, gather the rest of the ingredients to finish the salad. In a large bowl, combine the greens and season with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with 1-2 tablespoons of vinaigrette, to taste. To plate, lay down some grilled vegetables on a plate; add a layer of dressed greens, followed by another layer of the grilled vegetables. Crumble the ricotta salata over the salad.
• After exactly 6½ minutes, remove the eggs to the ice bath to cool completely; once they're cool, peel them, cut in half, and place on salad. Finish the salad with a few grinds of pepper and a drizzle of the vinaigrette. When serving, make sure each portion includes half an egg.

SPANISH ASPARAGUS REVUELTO

Steps:

• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add peeled garlic cloves and let them sizzle until lightly browned, then remove. Add bread cubes, season with salt and pepper, lower heat to medium and gently fry until lightly browned and crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove bread and set aside to cool.
• Add chorizo and fry lightly. Add asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and stir-fry until cooked through but firm, 3 to 4 minutes. Add green onions and minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Season eggs with salt, pepper and pimentón. Pour into pan and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, just until soft and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add parsley and serve immediately, topped with the fried bread cubes.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Trim about 1 inch off the bottom of the asparagus and discard. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and roast until slightly tender and lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the mustard and vinegar to a medium blow. Grate the zest of the lemon into the bowl and squeeze in the juice. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Mince the garlic and add to the bowl. Mince the anchovies and add to the bowl along with the anchovy oil. Finely chop the parsley, including the stems, and add to the bowl. Chop the mint leaves and add to the bowl. Cut off and discard the woody bottoms of the tarragon. Chop the remaining tarragon and add to the bowl. Chop the pickle and add to the bowl along with the pickle brine. Mix together with a spoon and taste for seasoning. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
• Season the asparagus with salt and drizzle with the honey. Spoon some of the salsa verde over the asparagus and transfer to a platter. Top with additional salsa verde.

CLASSIC ANDALUSIAN GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Soak bread in 1/2 cup water 1 minute, then squeeze dry, discarding soaking water.
• Mash garlic to a paste with salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a large knife). Blend garlic paste, bread, 2 tablespoons vinegar, sugar, cumin, and half of tomatoes in a food processor until tomatoes are very finely chopped. Add remaining tomatoes with motor running and, when very finely chopped, gradually add oil in a slow stream, blending until as smooth as possible, about 1 minute.
• Force soup through a sieve into a bowl, pressing firmly on solids. Discard solids.
• Transfer to a glass container and chill, covered, until cold, about 3 hours. Season with salt and vinegar before serving.

ANDALUSIAN-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Add the saffron to the hot stock to soak. Heat the oil in a medium pan and cook the onion until it is soft and just beginning to turn golden. Push to the side of the pan and add the chicken. Cook for a few mins until the chicken is browned all over.
• Add the cinnamon and chilli, and cook for a couple of mins. Add the stock, vinegar, honey, tomatoes and raisins. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 10 mins until the sauce is reduced and the chicken is cooked through. When ready to serve, scatter with the coriander and nuts, and serve with bread on the side.

ANDALUSIAN ASPARAGUS (ESPARRAGOS A LA ANDALUZA)

Steps:

• Blanch the asparagus in lightly salted, boiling water, for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the garlic and bread over medium heat until golden.
• Remove the garlic and bread to a blender and mix with the cumin, paprika, vinegar and a little water to make a paste. Start with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water and then adjust as needed until you get a paste-like consistency.
• Reheat the frying pan, adding a little extra oil if necessary. Add in the blanched asparagus and fry for about 5 minutes, then add the paste and a little more water. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
• This dish can be served as it is or you can add 2 beaten eggs and a little more water then leave on a low heat until the eggs are set.