Lemon Herb Asparagus Crostini Food

LEMON-HERB ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• Toss 1/2 pound asparagus (trimmed and thinly sliced) with 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and chopped basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and red pepper flakes. Rub toasted baguette slices with a halved garlic clove. Top with ricotta, the asparagus and chopped chives.

ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• For an easy party snack, spread fresh ricotta on toasted baguette slices, then top with thinly sliced asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil or truffle oil.

LEMON ALMOND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Melt butter; stir in lemon juice. In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add asparagus in batches; cook 2-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and place on a serving plate. Drizzle with butter mixture; top with almonds and, if desired, lemon peel.

HERBED BROAD BEAN & FETA CROSTINI WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the broad beans for 5-6 mins until tender. Immediately plunge into a bowl of ice-cold water. Squeeze the broad beans from their pods and transfer to the bowl of a food processor with the olive oil, feta, honey, lemon juice and dill fronds. Season with black pepper and blitz to a smooth purée.
• Meanwhile, brush the baguette slices with some olive oil and toast or griddle until golden. Rub with the cut side of a halved garlic clove. Finely chop the blanched asparagus spears and toss in a little olive oil with a squeeze of lemon juice. Spread the purée over the crostini and top with the sliced asparagus and some extra dill. Leftover purée will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

LEMON AND HERB SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a small food processor or blender, combine the basil, chives, dill, garlic, zest, oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more salt, if desired. Set the herb sauce aside.
• Drain the pasta and, while it's still in the colander, toss with the lemon juice. Transfer to a large bowl and pour in the herb sauce. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is completely coated.
• Serve family-style warm or at room temperature with freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.

ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in canned chicken broth. Bring mixture to boil. Add asparagus pieces and summer savory and simmer until asparagus is very tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Drain asparagus, reserving cooking liquid. Puree asparagus in food processor. With machine running, Gradually add 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return mixture to saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. (Soup can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Top with dollops of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Heat olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small pan over low heat until garlic becomes golden and oil becomes fragrant; remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Bend asparagus gently until it breaks at a natural point and discard ends.
• Toss asparagus pieces with infused olive oil and place in a single layer on a baking sheet (one with a side edge).
• Season asparagus with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle asparagus with crumbled feta cheese.
• Roast at 400F for 12 minutes or until cooked to your liking.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley and squeeze the lemons over the asparagus, being careful to catch the seeds.
• Serve hot.