Asparagus Florentine Food

ASPARAGUS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the asparagus in 1/2 in. of water for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender., In a large bowl, whisk together the soup, water, egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper. Whisk in lemon juice. Add to onion mixture. Add cream cheese. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted. Stir in spinach and asparagus; heat through., Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

EGGS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before crumbling into small pieces.
• In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach and nutmeg and cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Fill a small saucepan with 3 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the lemon juice. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Crack an egg in a small bowl, taking care not to break the yolk. Slowly slide the egg into the water. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the water around the egg. Cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes until the white has set and the yolk is still soft. Using a slotted spoon, remove the egg from the water and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
• To serve, place a tomato slice on each salad plate and season with salt and pepper. Spoon 1/4 of the spinach sauce over the tomato slice. Top with a poached egg and sprinkle with the crumbled prosciutto. Serve warm.
• Cook's Note: The poached eggs can be made ahead of time if stored in water and refrigerated. Reheat by placing in simmering water for 30 seconds.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions in lightly salted water. Drain and set aside.
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the butter and olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken chunks in a single layer and do not stir for a minute or two in order to allow the chicken to brown on the first side. Flip the chicken and brown on the other side. Cook until done, and then remove the chicken from the skillet.
• Turn the heat to medium. Add the garlic and quickly stir to avoid burning. After about 30 seconds, pour in the broth and wine, stirring to deglaze the skillet. Allow the liquid to bubble up, and then continue cooking until it's reduced by at least half (most of the surface of the liquid should be bubbling at this point).
• Turn off the heat. Add the spinach, tomatoes, chicken, cooked pasta and Parmesan shavings to the skillet. Toss to combine; the spinach will wilt as you toss everything.
• Add more Parmesan shavings and serve immediately! Serve with extra Parmesan shavings.

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.

MAHI MAHI WITH ASPARAGUS AND ALMOND SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and broil, stirring frequently, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Combine the toasted almonds, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, honey, mustard, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the parsley.
• Toss the asparagus with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, the lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste on the same baking sheet. Spread in a single layer and broil until the asparagus is bright green and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
• Sprinkle the fish with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and arrange on the same baking sheet, rounded side down; broil until opaque, about 3 minutes. Turn the fillets, brush with some of the almond sauce and continue broiling until just firm and cooked through, 3 to 5 more minutes. Divide the fish and asparagus among plates and top with the remaining almond sauce.

CHICKEN OSCAR

Steps:

• Place chicken between 2 pieces of wax paper on a cutting board and pound very thin.
• Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
• Heat the butter in a heavy skillet. Dip the chicken pieces lightly in the seasoned flour and shake off excess.
• When the butter stops foaming, add the chicken and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden. Remove to a heated serving platter as the remaining pieces are cooked.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the hollandaise sauce per package directions. Keep warm.
• Cover each slice of chicken with crabmeat and top with 3 asparagus spears.
• Drizzle hollandaise sauce over asparagus and serve.

EGGS BENEDICT WITH ASPARAGUS AND BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cut off and discard the woody ends from the asparagus and boil the spears for 5 minutes, or until fork- tender but still firm. Drain, transfer to a dish, and sprinkle the lemon juice on top.
• Heat a wide 3-quart saucepan of water over medium heat and add a pinch of salt. Poach the eggs.
• Place the English muffins on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Top each muffins half with 3 asparagus spears and 2 slices of Brie. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
• Top each muffins half with a poached egg and 1 tablespoon of the Hollandaise sauce and season with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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.

ASPARAGUS WITH HAZELNUTS AND TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Pour water into large pot to depth of 1 inch and bring to boil. Place asparagus on steamer rack set over water in pot. Cover pot and steam until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer asparagus to bowl of ice water and cool. Drain. Place asparagus on paper towels. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Combine shallots, vinegar, tarragon and mustard in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place baby lettuces on large platter. Arrange asparagus atop lettuces. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.

WARM CHICKEN SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND CREAMY DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with about 1" salted water. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Add potatoes, cover, and steam until just tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut breast meat from chicken, remove and discard skin, and slice on the bias into 1/2" slices. Remove legs from carcass, remove and discard skin, and slice meat off bones into 1/2" slices.
• Whisk mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, mustard, pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Add asparagus and chicken slices to potatoes in steamer, cover, and steam until asparagus is crisp-tender and chicken is warmed through, about 3 minutes. Transfer potatoes, asparagus, and chicken to a platter or plates and drizzle with dressing. Top with watercress and mint and serve with lemon wedges alongside.

ASPARAGUS MATZOH BREI

Steps:

• Snap the ends off the asparagus where they break naturally. Peel the spears. Cut the asparagus in one-inch lengths.
• Place the asparagus in a steamer or in a pot of simmering water and steam or cook about three minutes, until they are just tender and still bright green. Drain the asparagus, if necessary, and refresh under cold running water. Dry them well.
• Heat a tablespoon of the butter or oil in a large nonstick skillet. Saute the onions over medium-low heat until they are golden, about six minutes. Remove the onions from the pan and mix them with the asparagus.
• Crumble the matzohs and soak them in a bowl of hot water about 30 seconds. Drain well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Mix the eggs and matzohs together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the onions and asparagus.
• Heat the remaining butter or oil in the skillet. Add the matzoh mixture and cook over medium-high heat several minutes, until the mixture sets on the bottom and around the edges. Cover the skillet with a large plate and, holding both plate and skillet together, flip them over so the matzoh brei is cooked side up on the plate. Slide it back into the pan and cook the second side. Cut it in wedges and serve with a sprinkling of grated cheese, if desired.

ASPARAGUS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a saucepan with a small amount of water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender.
• In a bowl, whisk together the soup, water, egg yolks, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper. Whisk in lemon juice. Add to onion mixture. Add cream cheese. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted. Stir in spinach and asparagus; heat through.
• Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP (CRèME D'ASPERGES)

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.

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.

LASAGNA FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Combine the cooked noodles and spinach, set aside.
• In lg skillet, brown beef with onion and pepper; drain.
• Add tomato sauce and seasonings.
• Mix cottage cheese with parmesan.
• In 9x13 baking pan, layer noodles, cottage cheese and sauce.
• Repeat layers.
• Top with nozzarella.
• Bake at 375* for 35 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

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.

ASPARAGUS CHEDDAR QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the partially baked pie shell with mustard.
• Reserve.
• Melt butter.
• Cook onion until tender but do not brown.
• Combine onion with dill, asparagus and cheese.
• Spoon evenly into the pie shell.
• Beat eggs.
• Add milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne.
• Pour the mixture over the asparagus and cheese.
• Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until just set.
• Cool 10 minutes before serving.