Basque Eggs With Ham Asparagus And Peas Food

BASQUE EGGS

Steps:

• In a large nonstick saucepan (or skillet with reasonably high sides), saute diced sausage over medium flame till nicely browned, about 4 minutes.
• Add onion and garlic and stir till well mixed. Cook till onion is soft and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add bell peppers and cook a minute or two, till slightly soft. Add diced tomatoes, thyme, red pepper, and salt (if using), cover, and cook 4 minutes, till juicy.
• If using beaten eggs, stir gently throghout veggie mixture; cover. Cook 4 minutes, till set. (This produces more of a fritatta feel--good for folks who don't like runny egg yolks).
• If using whole eggs, crack each egg and gently slide it into the veggie stew, trying to keep the eggs from touching each other (it may help to make a well for each egg with the back of a spoon). Cover and cook 3 minutes, till whites are set. Ladle each egg and some veggies into a serving bowl. Serve with crusty warm bread.

BASQUE EGGS WITH HAM, ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Finely slice the garlic cloves and fry in 2 tbsp olive oil in a strong earthenware casserole dish.
• Cut the ham into cubes and add to the casserole dish - sauté for 5 mins over a low heat.
• Wash the asparagus pieces and remove any rough ends leaving only the tender shoots - cut these into pieces about 3 cms long and add to the casserole dish - sauté for a further 5 mins - season with salt.
• Add the peas to the casserole dish cover with a little water and simmer until the peas are almost cooked (5 mins or a little longer if using frozen peas).
• Finally break the eggs whole into the casserole dish and leave over the heat until the eggs are cooked.

BASQUE EGGS MY WAY

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic, chile peppers, green peppers and red peppers. Cook until tender. Finally, add the tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, cover and cook 10 minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the juices have evaporated and everything is soft and melded.
• Crack the eggs into the pan, spaced evenly apart. Sprinkled with more salt and black pepper. Cover and cook until just done, with the yolks still nice and runny. Meanwhile, make four "nests" of ham on serving plates. When the eggs are done, lift them along with their peppery garnishes with a spatula into the nests. Serve very hot with toasted baguette.

HAM AND PEAS FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a couple turns of pepper in a large bowl. Add the peas, Swiss cheese and ham and stir to combine.
• Heat the oil in a medium ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the egg mixture and cook until the edges start to set, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until the center is set, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before sliding carefully onto a serving plate and cutting into wedges.

FOUR-CHEESE PASTA WITH PEAS AND HAM

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 8 minutes, adding the peas in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, egg white, evaporated milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Drain the pasta and peas; wipe the pot dry and return the pasta and peas to the pot. Add the butter and stir to coat. Add the cheddar, mozzarella, fontina and the egg mixture. Place the pot over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes, adding the ham halfway through cooking (don't let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble). Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the parmesan.

ASPARAGUS, HAM AND EGG BAKE

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, toss ham, asparagus, potatoes, onion and cheeses. Spoon into baking dish.
• In same bowl, beat eggs, milk, sour cream, lemon-pepper seasoning salt and mustard with fork or wire whisk until well mixed. Pour egg mixture over potato mixture. (Baking dish will be very full.) Cover; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Uncover baking dish; bake 35 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, toss cornflake crumbs and butter.
• Sprinkle cornflake mixture over partially baked casserole. Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and thermometer inserted in center reads 160°F. Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving.

ASPARAGUS WITH HAM AND EGGS

Steps:

• Break off tough ends of the asparagus and cook until tender, drain.
• Meanwhile chop the ham and egg finely.
• Put asparagus on a serving plate and garnish with the chopped ham and eggs.
• Serve with the melted butter in a jug on the side.

DEVILED EGGS WITH PEAS AND HAM

Steps:

• With a slotted spoon, gently drop eggs into a medium saucepan of boiling water; reduce heat to medium-high and cook 10 minutes. Using the spoon, transfer eggs to an ice bath until cool. Return the saucepan to a boil, season the water with 1 tablespoon salt, and blanch peas until bright green and tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Peel and halve eggs lengthwise; remove yolks and transfer to the bowl of a food processor with peas, mayonnaise, mustard, 1 tablespoon water and a pinch of salt; puree until smooth. Spoon mixture into whites. Garnish with pancetta, pea shoots, and black pepper.

HAM AND ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 and grease a rectangular casserole dish.
• Chop asparagus and ham into bite-size pieces.
• Combine rice, asparagus and ham in casserole dish.
• Combine soup and stock and pour over casserole.
• Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes (test asparagus for preferred texture--I like mine a little crisp).
• Sprinkle cheese on top and bake until melted.

BASQUE-STYLE HAM AND EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell peppers and garlic and sauté until tender, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and continue cooking until vegetables are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange ham slices in heavy medium skillet. Pour wine over ham. Cover and simmer until ham is heated through, about 5 minutes. Arrange ham around edge of platter. Top with vegetable mixture. Cover and keep warm.
• Beat eggs with half and half in large bowl to blend. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs and stir until cooked. Spoon eggs atop vegetables and ham. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

HAM AND ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry. , In a 2-1/2-qt. baking dish, combine the asparagus, eggs and ham; sprinkle tapioca evenly over all. Stir in the cheese, green pepper, onion and parsley. , In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, cream and soup; add to casserole and mix thoroughly. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over top. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

HAM AND ASPARAGUS FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Stir asparagus into pot in the last five minutes of cooking; drain.
• While pasta is cooking, heat butter and cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When mixture begins to bubble, stir in Parmesan, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne. Continue cooking until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. Stir in ham and heat through.
• Toss pasta and asparagus with sauce and serve immediately.

PEA, ASPARAGUS & HAM HOCK TART

Steps:

• First, make the pastry. Rub the flour, butter, mustard powder (if using), parmesan and 1 tsp fine salt together in a large bowl using your fingertips until the mixture resembles sand. Or, do this by pulsing the ingredients together in a food processor. Gradually add 4-6 tbsp cold water, pressing the mixture together until you have a soft dough. Briefly knead the dough until smooth.
• Roll the pastry out between two sheets of baking parchment until 3mm thick and large enough to line a 20 x 7cm loose-bottomed springform cake tin. Remove the top layer of parchment and invert the pastry into the tin, or drape it over the rolling pin and unravel it into the tin. Push the pastry into the base and up the side - there should be about 1½cm excess pastry that comes above the rim. Use your thumbs and index finger to crimp the excess around the edge. Chill for at least 1 hr 30 mins or overnight.
• Meanwhile, cook the peas and asparagus in a pan of boiling water for 3 mins, or just 2 mins for defrosted frozen peas. Immediately plunge into a bowl of ice-cold water to halt the cooking process, and leave to cool in the bowl for 2 mins. Drain and set aside until needed.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Prick the base of the chilled pastry case all over with a fork. Scrunch up a piece of baking parchment, then use it to line the case, leaving some overhanging. Fill the case all the way to the top with baking beans or uncooked dry beans or rice. Bake for 15 mins, then remove the beans and parchment and bake for 10-15 mins more until golden. Don't worry if it shrinks from the edge slightly. Leave to cool while you make the filling.
• Whisk together the eggs, double cream and crème fraîche, then mix in the herbs, spring onions, lemon zest and juice, parmesan and cooked peas. Season with sea salt and a good crack of black pepper, then pour the filling into the baked case. Sprinkle the shredded ham hock over, pressing it into the filling slightly, then arrange the asparagus spears on top.
• Turn the oven down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and bake the quiche for 45-55 mins until golden on top with a slight wobble in the middle. Leave to cool for 20 mins in the tin, then serve warm or leave to cool completely and chill until needed. Will keep chilled for three days.
• When ready to serve, toss the pea shoots and mangetout with the olive oil, then pile in the middle of the quiche. Cut into wedges to serve.

CREAMED HAM AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, cook asparagus in a small amount of water until tender; drain and set aside. , In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in cornstarch, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Add parsley, ham, eggs, cheese and asparagus; cook and stir over low heat until ham is warmed and cheese is melted. Serve over toast points or biscuits.

POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• If cooking polenta on stovetop: In a medium pot over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how finely the polenta is ground (coarse-ground polenta takes longer).
• Alternatively, cook polenta in oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over high heat, bring 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a stir. If it looks dry, add another 1/2 cup water. Cover the pot once more, and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• When polenta is thick and creamy, stir in 2 to 4 of the tablespoons butter (depending on how buttery you like it) and the Parmesan. Taste and add more Parmesan and salt, if needed.
• As the polenta cooks, prepare the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or two, until fragrant and very lightly golden in spots. Add vermouth and cook until alcohol evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus and peas, and cook until vegetables are glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 8 minutes. (Thicker asparagus will take longer to soften.) Stir in the mint. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon polenta into bowls, top with vegetables and their sauce, and grind on lots of fresh pepper. Finish with shaved Parmesan.

ASPARAGUS, HAM, AND POACHED EGG SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Fill the pasta pot with 3 quarts of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the coarse salt and the asparagus. Blanch, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. (Cooking time will vary according to the size and tenderness of the asparagus.) Immediately remove the colander from the water, letting the water drain from the asparagus. Plunge the asparagus into the ice water so they cool down as quickly as possible and retain their crispness and bright green color. (The asparagus will cool in 1 to 2 minutes. After that, they will soften and begin to lose crispness and flavor.) Drain the asparagus and wrap it in a thick kitchen towel to dry. (Do not cook the asparagus in advance or it will lose its crispness.)
• Break each egg into a ramekin or small cup. Set aside. In a large, shallow saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add the vinegar. One by one, bring the edge of a ramekin or cup level with the surface of the water and slide the egg in gently. Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Poach the eggs until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny and are covered with a thin, translucent layer of white, about 3 minutes.
• With the sieve or slotted spoon, carefully lift the eggs from the water and transfer them to several thicknesses of paper towels.
• Place the salad greens and chives in a large salad bowl. Toss with just enough dressing to coat the greens lightly and evenly.
• Place the asparagus on a large plate and add just enough dressing to lightly coat the spears. Roll the asparagus in the dressing.
• Arrange the dressed greens at one side of each of 4 large dinner plates. (Rectangular plates are particularly beautiful here.) Carefully place a poached egg alongside. Arrange 4 asparagus spears next to the eggs. Carefully drape a slice of ham over each of the poached eggs. Season the greens lightly with fine sea salt and generously with pepper. Sprinkle with chives. Serve with the toast.

BAKED EGGS WITH TOMATO-HAM SAUCE AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add jamón and dried crushed red pepper and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes. Simmer until mixture mounds on spoon, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water and drain well. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tomato sauce and asparagus separately and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease four, 5 to 6-inch-diameter shallow earthenware casseroles or baking dishes with olive oil. Divide sauce among dishes. Make large well in center of sauce in each dish. Break 2 eggs into each well. Sprinkle eggs with pepper and then cheese. Arrange asparagus around edge of dishes. Cover with foil. Bake until eggs are almost set, about 12 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS HAM CREPES

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the first six ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Refrigerate for 1 hour. , Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet; pour 2 tablespoons batter into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between., In a large skillet, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water; drain and pat dry. , On each crepe, layer a ham slice, Swiss cheese slice and three asparagus spears. Roll up and place in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish., In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and bouillon. Gradually stir in water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Stir in the cream, mushrooms and chives. Pour over crepes. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

CHEESY HAM AND ASPARAGUS BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Mix the ham, onion, red bell peppers, and asparagus in the prepared baking dish. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, flour, Parmesan, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Pour over the ham mixture.
• Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Continue baking 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

ASPARAGUS HAM DINNER

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute asparagus and yellow pepper in oil until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and ham; heat through. Drain pasta; add to mixture. Stir in parsley and seasonings. Sprinkle with cheese.