Asparagus Salad Lidia Bastianich Food

SCALLION AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• To cook the vegetables: Snap off the hard stubs at the bottom of the asparagus stalks (they'll break naturally at the right point). With a vegetable peeler, shave off the skin from the bottom 3 inches of each stalk so they cook evenly. Trim the root end of the scallions and the wilted ends of the green leaves. Peel off the loose layers at the white end too so the scallions are all tight, trim, and about 6 inches long.
• In a wide, deep skillet bring 1 quart water (or enough to cover the vegetables) to a boil and add the asparagus and scallions.
• Adjust the heat to maintain a bubbling boil and poach the asparagus, uncovered, for about 6 minutes or more, until they are tender but not falling apart and cooked through but not mushy. To check doneness, pick up a spear in the middle with tongs: It should be a little droopy, but not collapsing.
• As soon as they are done, lift out the vegetables with tongs and lay them in a colander (any fat asparagus spears may take a little longer, so leave them in a few minutes more). Hold the colander under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain briefly, then spread on kitchen towels, pat dry, and sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of salt over them.
• To make the salad: Slice the asparagus and the scallions into 1-inch lengths and pile them loosely in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the oil and vinegar over, sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Toss well but don't break up the vegetables.
• Quarter the eggs into wedges and slice each wedge into 2 or 3 pieces; scatter these in the bowl and fold in with the vegetables. Taste and adjust the dressing. Chill the salad briefly, then arrange it on a serving platter or on salad plates.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Clean and trim the asparagus; remove the tough ends and the tips (you can parboil and save the tips for another dish). With a potato peeler, shave each stem, turning to allow for maximum shaving. Place the shavings into a serving bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice and a dash of salt and pepper in a small bowl; dress the shavings with the mixture. Layer with the cheese and serve.

ORECCHIETTE WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and let it sizzle a minute. Add the asparagus and toss to coat in the oil. Cook and toss until the asparagus just begins to soften, about 5 minutes (add a splash of pasta water if the garlic is in danger of burning). Cover with a lid.
• Uncover the asparagus, and at the same time add the orecchiette to the pasta water. Add the peas to the asparagus and season with the salt. Toss to combine and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the scallions, stir, and add 1 1/2 cups of pasta water. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes.
• When the pasta is al dente, remove with a spider directly to the sauce. Add the parsley, drizzle with some olive oil, and toss to coat the pasta in the sauce, adding a little pasta water if it seems dry. Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle with the grated cheese, toss, garnish with pea tendrils and serve.

SCALLION AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cooking the Vegetables
• With a vegetable peeler, shave off the skin from the bottom 3 inches or so of each stalk, so they cook evenly. Snap off the hard stubs at the bottom of the asparagus stalks-they'll break naturally at the right point.
• Trim the root end of each scallion and the wilted ends of the green leaves. Peel off the loose layers at the white end too, so the scallions are all tight, trim, and about 6 inches long.
• In a wide deep skillet, bring 1 quart of water (or enough to cover the vegetables) to a boil, and add the asparagus and scallions.
• Adjust the heat to maintain a bubbling boil, and poach the asparagus and scallions, uncovered, for about 6 minutes or more, until they are tender but not falling apart, and cooked through but not mushy. To check doneness, pick up an asparagus spear in the middle with tongs; it should be a little droopy but not collapsing.
• As soon as they are done, lift out the vegetables with tongs and lay them in a colander (any fat asparagus spears may take a little longer, so leave them in a few minutes more). Hold the colander under cold running water to stop the cooking. Drain briefly, then spread on kitchen towels, pat dry, and sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon salt over them.
• Making the Salad
• Slice the asparagus and the scallions into 1-inch lengths, and pile them loosely in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the oil and vinegar over them, then sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Toss well, but don't break up the vegetables.
• Quarter the eggs into wedges, and slice each wedge into two or three pieces; salt lightly and scatter the egg in the bowl, and fold in with the vegetables. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Chill the salad briefly, then arrange it on a serving platter or on salad plates.