Rice Asparagus And Fennel Food

ASPARAGUS-FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool, then drain and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, fennel fronds, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, anchovies, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a mini food processor. Process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Combine the asparagus, sliced fennel, Boston lettuce, mixed greens, peas, celery and pistachios in a large bowl. Just before serving, drizzle with the dressing, season with salt and pepper and toss.

GRILLED FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• For the vinaigrette: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, lemon juice and zest, vinegar, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Cover and set aside.
• For the salad: Add the asparagus and fennel to the vinaigrette and toss to coat well. Brush the grill with some canola oil. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook until just caramelized and charred on all sides, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly.
• Heat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and the pine nuts; toast until just golden brown, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool in the pan.
• Slice the asparagus on the bias into 1-inch pieces. Core the fennel halves, then slice them 1/8- inch-thick. Add the asparagus and fennel back to the vinaigrette. Add the currants, olives, toasted pine nuts, arugula, salt and pepper. Toss well. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the salad to absorb the vinaigrette. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with the shaved Pecorino.

LEMON ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add asparagus, cover, and steam until tender, about 5 minutes. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• Heat chicken broth in a saucepan over medium heat; keep at a simmer while preparing risotto.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and celery until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in garlic and arborio rice; cook and stir until rice is lightly toasted, about 5 more minutes.
• Pour white wine into rice mixture, stirring constantly, until liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir chicken broth into rice, one ladleful at a time, allowing liquid to absorb completely before adding more while stirring constantly, about 20 minutes. Add asparagus and stir.
• Remove from heat and mix in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

PARMESAN ASPARAGUS RICE

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoon butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion until softened and turning translucent, about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the rice, asparagus, and stock. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until the rice is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and gently stir in the Parmesan cheese and remaining butter. Serve immediately.

SLOW-ROASTED HALIBUT WITH SHAVED ASPARAGUS AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• For salad:
• Whisk lemon juice and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil, then add capers. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature and rewhisk before using.
• Place 1 asparagus spear flat on work surface. Using vegetable peeler, shave asparagus into long thin strips. Place asparagus strips in medium bowl with shaved fennel. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• For fish:
• Coat rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, and lemon peel in another medium bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle melted butter over. Using fork, toss to incorporate evenly.
• Place halibut fillets on prepared baking sheet, spacing apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide breadcrumbs among fillets to cover top (about 1/3 cup each), pressing to adhere. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake halibut until opaque in center, about 20 minutes. Turn on broiler. Broil halibut just until breadcrumbs start to brown, about 1 minute.
• Place 1 halibut fillet on each of 6 plates. Pour dressing over asparagus and fennel mixture; toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Divide salad among plates and serve.

ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOM RICE MEDLEY

Steps:

• Pour broth into a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Add rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion in butter for 4-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add the mushrooms, zucchini and carrot; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add asparagus and basil; cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. , In a small serving bowl, combine the rice, asparagus mixture, cheese and pepper.

BROWN RICE WITH FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy two- to three-quart saucepan. Add fennel, onion and garlic and cook very slowly until vegetables are tender and translucent. Stir in rice and cook, stirring, another two to three minutes.
• Add the stock or water, bring to a boil and cook uncovered for three minutes. Lower the heat, season the stock to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer covered about 40 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.
• Gently stir in the asparagus, cover the saucepan and set aside for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with a dusting of Parmesan cheese on top.

RICE, ASPARAGUS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Combine rice and 1 1/2 cups water in heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, covered, until rice is cooked and water has been absorbed, a total of 17 minutes.
• Wash asparagus, and trim by breaking the stem at the point where the tender part meets the woody part. Discard woody part. Cut the asparagus just below the heads, and then cut the remainder of the stem on the diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Wash and trim fennel, and cut into small pieces.
• Heat oil in nonstick pan, and saute asparagus and fennel until it is tender, 5 to 7 minutes, depending on size of asparagus.
• Wash, dry and chop chives; mince garlic; add chives and garlic to asparagus. When ingredients are tender, stir into rice as it cooks.
• Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

SAUSAGE & FENNEL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Fry the sliced sausages until browned, then transfer to a warm oven. Use the same pan to melt the butter and add the sliced fennel and fennel seeds. Fry until the fennel softens, then add the crushed garlic clove and cook for 1 min more.
• Tip in the risotto rice and stir until popping. Pour in the white wine, let it sizzle for 1 min, then slowly add the chicken stock, ladle by ladle, stirring all the time on a low heat until cooked through.
• Finish with the parmesan and top with the sausage slices and fennel fronds.

ASPARAGUS-FENNEL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus, onions and fennel in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. , Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, parsley and roasted vegetables. , In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with feta cheese.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Separate the fennel fronds from the bulb and stems. Finely mince the fronds to yield ½ cup. Slice the fennel bulb and stems.
• Cut off 1 ½ inches of the asparagus tips and set aside. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the tough skin off the asparagus stalks, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sliced fennel stems, asparagus stalks, and onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the rice or barley and broth, cover, and simmer over low heat 30 to 40 minutes, or until the rice or barley is very tender.
• Transfer saucepan contents to a blender or food processor and puree to the desired consistency in several batches if necessary. Return the puree to the pan and stir in 1 cup of the milk, the reserved fennel fronds, the asparagus tips, salt, and pepper. IF the soup seems too thick, stir in additional milk. Heat until the asparagus tips are crisp-tender, about 1 ½ minutes.