Asparagus Florentine Food

STEAK FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Rub the garlic cloves over the meat and the bone of the steaks. Sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper. Place in the refrigerator and allow seasoning to permeate the meat, for about 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator at least 20 minutes before grilling, allowing the meat to come to room temperature.
• Place a grill pan over high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill the steaks until cooked to desired doneness, turning once, about 5 minutes per side for rare, 7 minutes per side for medium-rare. The key to getting those great grill marks is to place the steak down and not move them. After you flip them, do not shift the steaks.
• Allow the steaks to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing, otherwise all the juices will be run all over your cutting board. Run your knife along the bone and carve the meat off the bone. Slice the meat into 1-inch slices. Transfer the slices to a platter. Squeeze the lemon over the steaks. Drizzle with the oil and serve immediately with Grilled Vegetables.
• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions. Arrange the vegetables on a platter. The key to getting those great grill marks is to not shift the vegetables too frequently once they've been placed on the hot grill.
• Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary in a small bowl to blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the herb mixture over the vegetables. Serve the vegetables, warm or at room temperature.

CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS CREPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Butter a large baking dish. Combine the chicken, ricotta, 1/2 cup parmesan, 3 tablespoons herbs, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup filling across the lower half of each crepe; roll up to enclose the filling. Place the crepes, seam-side down, in the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake until the filling is hot, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook until it softens, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, lemon zest and the remaining 1 tablespoon herbs and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the crepes among plates, top with the asparagus and sauce, and sprinkle with parmesan.

ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in canned chicken broth. Bring mixture to boil. Add asparagus pieces and summer savory and simmer until asparagus is very tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Drain asparagus, reserving cooking liquid. Puree asparagus in food processor. With machine running, Gradually add 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return mixture to saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. (Soup can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Top with dollops of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.

EASY ASPARAGUS SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Cut bottoms off asparagus, then cut remainder of stalks into 2-inch pieces.
• Melt butter in pan over medium heat- do not burn.
• Add garlic for about 30 seconds, then add asparagus.
• Stir fry until asparagus is tender.

ASPARAGUS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus.
• Wash stalks well.
• Cook asparagus in boiling salted water until almost tender;drain.
• Wrap 1 slice of Prosciutto around a few stalks of asparagus and fasten with a toothpick.
• Butter the bottom of a baking dish and lay the bundles of asparagus in the dish.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

MEATLOAF FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Combine tomato sauce, oregano, basil and garlic powder in a small bowl.
• In a larger bowl, mix beef, bread crumbs, egg white, salt pepper, and 1/2 the tomato sauce mixture until well combined.
• Press meat mixture onto a sheet of wax paper, making a rectangle approx.
• 8 x 10 inches.
• Spoon spinach over half.
• Place mozzarella cheese over spinach, being careful not to place too close to the edges, or your filling will leak out.
• Fold meat over so that spinach and cheese are inside.
• Pinch edges to seal.
• Place meat in shallow baking pan, on a rack or strips of aluminum foil, or some means of keeping the loaf off the pan to allow the juices to drain.
• Top with remaining tomato sauce and the parmesan cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.
• Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
• (try the leftovers on a sandwich or kaiser roll).

FLORENTINE STYLE PORTERHOUSE & ASPARAGUS (ATKINS)

Steps:

• Porterhouse:.
• 1. Rub steak with 1 teaspoon of the oil, then rub steak all over with cut sides of garlic; discard garlic. Rub steak again with 1 rosemary sprig and 1 thyme sprig; discard herbs. Season steak on both sides with salt and pepper; set aside.
• 2. Prepare a high-heat grill or set a grill pan or large cast-iron skillet over high heat. When very hot, add steak and grill or sear until done to taste, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• 3. Transfer steak to a cutting board and let stand 5 minutes. With a sharp knife, cut around bone so that you have 2 pieces of meat. Trim off any fat. Thinly slice steak and transfer to a platter. Surround with the remaining 2 rosemary sprigs and 2 thyme sprigs. Drizzle steak with remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and serve.
• Asparagus:.
• 1. Heat oven to 400°F Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Rinse asparagus, and snap off tough ends. Lightly pat dry.
• 2. Spread asparagus out in pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix with your hands to distribute seasoning. Pat into a single layer.
• 3. Bake until asparagus are tender and lightly crisped; about 15 minutes. Shake pan once or twice during baking time.

CHICKEN-ORZO FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Cook chicken in boiling water for 15 minutes and reserve broth.
• Cut chicken in bite size pieces, and set aside.
• Pour broth through strainer and cook orzo in remaining broth.
• In a large sprayed skillet, saute mushrooms until tender.
• Remove from heatand stir in chicken, orzo, spinach, soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice,oregeno, and pepper.
• Fold in half the cheese and mix well.
• Spoon into greased 9x13 inch baking dish,and sprinkle with remaining cheeseand breadcrumbs.
• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE SOUP

Steps:

• In a heavy bottomed, 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook until onions are tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Stir in flour, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Cook 1 to 2 minutes.
• Slowly whisk chicken stock into butter/flour mixture. Bring to a boil and cook several minutes until thickened. Add chicken.
• Remove from heat and stir in spinach and heavy cream. Serve immediately.

CREAMY HALIBUT FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat stir together the half and half cream with cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth; mix in the flour and water stirring constantly until thickend and smooth; remove from heat.
• Sprinkle the spinach evenly into the baking dish.
• Brush the halibut on both sides with melted butter, then season with seasoned salt (or white salt) and black pepper on both sides.
• Place the halibut steaks over the spinach, then pour the cheese sauce over the halibut.
• Bake 35-40 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Divide onto four plates.
• Delicious!