Asparagus With Preserved Lemon And Pickled Chilli Food

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut bottoms off asparagus to make them fit upright in a pint jar. Asparagus tips should be at least 1/2 inch below lid. (Reserve bottoms for another use.)
• Pour about 2 inches water into a skillet large enough to hold asparagus lying down; bring to a boil. In batches, blanch asparagus: place in skillet, bring water back to a boil, and then immediately remove and run under very cold water or dunk in ice water. Set aside to drain.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan with 2 1/4 cups vinegar and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally and cook just until salt dissolves; turn off heat.
• Prepare 4 clean, hot pint jars and bands, and new lids. (Dip in boiling water, or run through dishwasher.) When jars are dry but still hot, pack asparagus into them, wedging spears in tightly. There should be enough for 3 or 4 full jars: do not half-fill jars.
• Pour in vinegar solution, just to barely cover tips of asparagus. Make sure to leave 1/2 inch air space above vinegar solution. Distribute garlic slivers and spices evenly among jars. Wipe rims with a clean paper towel dipped in hot water, place lids on top and screw on bands. (Not too tight, just firmly closed.)
• Prepare a boiling-water bath in a deep pot with a rack. Place jars on rack and pour water over them, making sure water covers jars by 2 to 3 inches. Bring water back to a rolling boil over high heat, start a timer for 10 minutes, then reduce heat and gently boil. When timer goes off, turn off heat and wait 5 minutes before removing jars with jar lifter or tongs. Let cool on counter, untouched, 4 to 6 hours. After 12 to 24 hours, check seals: lift each jar up by the lid, and press the lid to make sure the center is sucked down tightly.
• Store in a cool, dark, dry place (not refrigerator) for 4 weeks before using, or up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening. To serve, drain off pickling liquid and arrange asparagus on plates. Add hard-boiled egg, drizzle with oil and shower with black pepper.

QUICK-PICKLED SPICY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place trimmed asparagus in a quart-sized canning jar. Add garlic, pepper flakes, mustard seed, and peppercorns.
• Combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off.
• Pour vinegar mixture over the asparagus. Screw on the lid and let sit until lid has sealed, about 1 hour.
• Place in the refrigerator until pickled, at least 2 days.

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the cut end of the asparagus spears, and cut them into 3 inch lengths. Place them in a large bowl with 1/3 cup salt, and cover with water. Let stand for 2 hours. Drain and rinse under cool water, and pat dry.
• Sterilize two pint size wide mouth jars in simmering water for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings. Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute.
• Pack the asparagus spears, tips up, in the hot jars leaving 1/2 of space from the rim. Tuck one dill sprig into each jar, and sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pour hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature. Check seals when cool by pressing the center of the lid. It should not move. Label and date; store in a cool dark place. If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate and eat within two weeks.

ASPARAGUS WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND PICKLED CHILLI

Steps:

• Put the asparagus into a shallow bowl and pour over just enough boiling water to cover them. Set aside for 5 minutes. Drain the hot water and place the bowl under running cold water to cool the asparagus. Once cooled, dry the excess moisture from the spears using kitchen paper.
• Halve the asparagus spears lengthways and place them in a bowl. Add the preserved lemons, pickled chillies, fresh mint and a generous amount of black pepper, then drizzle with some olive oil. Mix well and serve.

GRILLED LEMON PARMESAN ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill on medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Place asparagus in a large shallow bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, going from bottom to top of stalks. Season with salt and ground black pepper.
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over asparagus. Lightly toss to coat each spear.
• Transfer coated asparagus to the preheated grill with tongs.
• Grill to desired tenderness, 3 to 7 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle asparagus with additional Parmesan cheese.

LEMON ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Coat asparagus with vegetable and arrange on a baking sheet. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Roast in preheated oven until lightly browned at the tips, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine lemon juice, butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in on high in microwave until butter is completely melted, about 1 minute; stir to combine. Pour butter mixture over roasted asparagus and toss to coat.