Charred Asparagus With Shaved Parmesan Food

WOOD ROASTED SHAVED ASPARAGUS, PARMESAN, BREADCRUMBS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Trim the woody ends from the asparagus. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus lengthwise into strips (if using Brussel sprouts, use a knife or mandoline to shave the sprouts).
• In a large bowl, gently toss the shaved asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Pour the asparagus mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and loosely arrange a "nest." Roast until slightly browned and softened, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed bread and toss to coat in the olive oil. Allow the bread to toast evenly, tossing often, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the garlic to perfume the oil and bread. Remove the bread from the pan to a cutting board and roughly chop the bread pieces. Toss with the grated Parmesan and black pepper, to taste.
• Top the asparagus with the breadcrumbs. Garnish with more grated Parmesan.

CHARRED ASPARAGUS WITH GREEN GARLIC CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Heat a cast-iron pan or broiler, or prepare a charcoal grill. Make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, stir together chopped green garlic, parsley, oregano, olive oil and 1/4 cup water. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spread asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle very lightly with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Transfer asparagus to hot cast-iron pan or to a grill grate that is placed very close to live coals; alternatively if broiling, place pan as close to broiler element as possible. Let asparagus cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until nicely charred, with a few burnt and blistered spots. Asparagus cooked this way tastes best if slightly undercooked and still bright green.
• Put cooked asparagus on a platter. Stir vinegar into chimichurri and spoon sauce generously over spears. Top with crumbled feta and olives, then sprinkle with crushed red pepper and serve.

ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOM SALAD WITH SHAVED PARMESAN

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut asparagus diagonally into very thin slices and transfer to a large bowl. Halve large mushrooms. Slice mushrooms very thin and add with radishes to asparagus. Toss salad gently.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, mustard and salt. Add oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified. Drizzle dressing over asparagus salad and toss gently. Grind pepper over salad.
• Spread watercress on a platter and top with asparagus salad. With a vegetable peeler, shave 1/2 to 3/4 of Parmesan into curls over salad, reserving remaining Parmesan for another use.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS WITH ARUGULA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus. Using a mandolin, sharp vegetable peeler or thin-bladed knife, slice the asparagus lengthwise into paper-thin ribbons.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil to make a dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper
• Place the asparagus ribbons in a shallow salad bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper and coat with half the dressing. Add the arugula, tossing gently to distribute the asparagus. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.
• With a vegetable peeler, shave thin curls of Parmesan over the salad. Accompany with a platter of sliced prosciutto, if desired.

ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN CRUST

Steps:

• Set oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the asparagus on a baking sheet.
• Drizzle with olive oil; toss to coat, then arrange in a single layer.
• Spread the Parmesan cheese over the asparagus, then season with black pepper.
• Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the asparagus is tender but crisp.
• Serve immediately on warm plates, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.