Creamy Peanut Asparagus Food

ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat Oven to 400˚F with the rack in the center. Butter a 9x13 casserole dish. Arrange trimmed asparagus in prepared casserole dish, packing it down for a fairly flat and even surface.
• Place a saucepan over medium heat. Melt in 3 Tbsp butter then add 2 1/2 Tbsp flour and whisk constantly for 3 minutes or until butter just starts to turn golden in color. Whisk in 2 cups half and half, 2 tsp garlic salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until sauce just starts to thicken then remove from heat. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup parmesan and whisk until cheese is melted and incorporated.
• Pour sauce evenly over the asparagus, leaving about 1" space on the long sides of the casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 400˚F for 15-18 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus), or until asparagus reaches desired tenderness.
• While the casserole is baking, make the topping: in a small mixing bowl, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Mix in 1/2 cup bread crumbs, stirring until evenly moistened, then stir in 1/2 cup remaining parmesan cheese. Halfway through baking, sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the casserole then return it to the oven to finish baking.
• When asparagus has reached desired doneness, set oven to broil for 2-3 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown. Remove from oven and serve.

CREAMY PEANUT ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place butter in 10" skillet, and melt over medium heat till it's golden.
• Put asparagus into skillet and toss over heat until just tender (7-10 minutes).
• Dash with salt.
• Top with peanut butter, and toss continuosly until all asparagus is coated with a light glaze of peanut sauce.
• Arrange on a serving platter, andd garnish with peanuts if desired.

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme in 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed and chopped), 1 1/2 cups each water and chicken broth and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return to the pot, whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraiche and warm through (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper. Top with more creme fraiche and chopped chives.

ASPARAGUS CREAM PASTA

Steps:

• To prepare the asparagus, cut off and discard the woody ends, then neatly cut the tips away from the stalks. Keep the tips and stalks separate. In a small saucepan bring the cream and garlic to the boil. Take off the heat, remove the garlic, then set the pan aside.
• Cook the stalks in boiling salted water for about 4-5 mins until tender, drain, then tip into the cream with the grated parmesan. Blitz with a hand blender until smooth.
• Cook the pasta according to pack instructions, then throw in the tips 2 mins before the end of cooking time. Gently reheat the cream, drain pasta, then tip into a bowl with the cream. Toss, divide into pasta bowls, top with parmesan shavings and serve.

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP (CRèME D'ASPERGES)

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.

CREAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Rinse asparagus under cool water to remove any grit. Snap off the bottom inch or so using your fingers; the stems will naturally break where the tough woody part ends and the tender stem begins. Remove the ends. Dry the spears by rolling them between two kitchen towels. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, beef broth, and garlic powder. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes more. Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese, yogurt, nutmeg, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and creamy, about 3 minutes.

CREAMY BAKED ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a shallow baking pan.
• Cut off and discard the lower, fibrous part of the asparagus stems (take about 1-2 inches off the bottom).
• Then chop the rest of the asparagus into 1-inch long pieces and place them in a pan, immersed in water.
• Boil until just tender and then drain the excess water.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the onion in olive oil until translucent.
• Add flour and stir in the milk.
• Cook until it starts to thicken.
• Stir in salt, pepper, and parsley.
• Add the asparagus and peas to this mixture.
• Turn vegetables into the prepared pan and sprinkle the bread/cracker crumbs over it.
• Bake for about 35 minutes, or until it looks bubbly.

CREAMED ASPARAGUS ON TOAST

Steps:

• Place asparagus into a large pot or skillet and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Mix 3 tablespoons butter and flour together in the same pot over medium-low heat until flour is dissolved and mixture is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk, asparagus, and salt to butter-flour mixture and simmer until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Spread about 1 teaspoon butter onto each piece of toast. Pour creamed asparagus over each piece of toast.