Chef Boy I Be Illinois Salad Of Grilled Asparagus And Spinach Food

THE BEST GRILLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Chop the tough, woody ends off the asparagus (about 1 inch) and peel another inch of the stalks.
• Whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Add the asparagus and toss until well coated.
• Put the asparagus on the grill at an angle so the stalks don't fall through the grates. Grill, flipping halfway through cooking, until the asparagus begin to char, the pointy ends start to crisp and the stalks are just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove to a platter and sprinkle with the feta and mint.

WARM ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water. Once cooled, drain and pat dry and add to a medium bowl.
• Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the walnuts and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour mixture over the asparagus and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To serve, transfer asparagus to a platter and scatter Parmesan on top. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS & PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry; cut into 1/2-in. pieces and set aside., In a large bowl, combine pear and lemon juice. Add the onions, walnuts and reserved asparagus; drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Arrange lettuce on four salad plates; top with asparagus mixture. Serve immediately.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for low heat. Combine the lemon juice and olive oil on a plate. Place asparagus on the plate, and roll around to coat.
• Grill asparagus for about 5 minutes, turning at least once, and brushing with the olive oil mixture. Remove from the grill, and place back onto the plate with the oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, Parmesan cheese, and slivered almonds. Cut asparagus into bite-size pieces, and add to the salad along with the lemon juice and oil from the plate. Toss to blend, then serve.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high. In a large bowl, toss together almonds, lemon zest, dill, and scallions; set aside.
• Drizzle asparagus lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper; grill, turning once, until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Transfer asparagus to a cutting board and let cool slightly, then chop into bite-size pieces. Add to bowl with almond mixture along with farro, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and adjust with more lemon juice if desired; fold in feta and serve.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat shallot and oil in microwave safe covered dish for 30 seconds or in a small pan on the stovetop over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Allow oil to cool back to room temperature.
• Hold a spear of asparagus at each end and snap it. The spear breaks where the tender tops meet the tough bottoms. Line the broken spear up with the bundle of cleaned asparagus. Cut the spears using the guideline of the snapped spear. Par boil the asparagus tops in 1 inch simmering water covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water and drain. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces on an angle and add to a bowl. Combine chopped, cooked asparagus with shredded endive, red bell pepper, cooked pasta, green peas and chopped parsley. The peas will defrost as you toss salad. Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in cooled shallot oil. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper, to your taste and toss again.

WARM ROAST ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6/fan 180C. Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus and discard. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in a baking tray with sides. Cut the tomatoes in half widthways, nestle them in with the asparagus, season with sea salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roll each bacon rasher into a tight roll (if large, first cut in half crosswise), and arrange in the tray. Drizzle the bacon rolls with the honey and bake for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the bacon is crisp.
• In the meantime, boil the potatoes until tender. Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, some sea salt and pepper in a large bowl until blended. Toss the rocket or spinach leaves in half of the dressing, and arrange on a large serving platter.
• Drain the potatoes and cut in half. Gently toss them in the rest of the dressing, and arrange on the platter with the asparagus. Tuck in the tomatoes and bacon.

CHEF-BOY-I-BE ILLINOIS' SCALLOPED POTATOES AND HAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• A food processor makes the grating and slicing easy! In a bowl, combine the processed vegetables with the flour, spices and cheese. Use your hands to really toss around so the flour coats everything.
• Add the cubed ham and toss one more time.
• Put half the mixture in bottom of 2 quart casserole, pour 1/2 of the broth over.
• Put rest of mixture in casserole and pour rest of broth over.
• Top with extra cheese if desired.
• Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 15 minutes.
• Test potatoes for desired tenderness with a knife.

CHEF-BOY-I-BE ILLINOIS' SALAD OF GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Toss asparagus with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the salt and pepper.
• Over medium high heat in grill pan, grill the asparagus, turning occasionally until tender, about 8 minutes. Set aside.
• In large bowl, mash the cheese with a fork. Mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and the mustard to loosen the cheese. Stir in the vinegar, then whisk in the walnut oil and remaining olive oil.
• Season the dressing with salt and pepper, then add the spinach leaves and asparagus and toss to coat. Add a handful of the toasted walnuts.
• Serve immediately.