Salad With White Asparagus And Sherry Vinegar And Olive Oil Food

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• I like asparagus al dente, slightly crunchy. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add salt until it tastes like mild seawater. How will you know? Take a little water with a spoon and taste it, then add the sugar.
• Prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl, large enough to hold the asparagus, with cold water. Add some ice cubes. Plunge the asparagus into the ice bath before cooking. This will help to bring any limp stalks back to life. Remove from the ice bath, plunge them into the boiling water and allow them to cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, transferring them immediately to the same ice bath. Allow them to sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, swirling them gently in the water to assure they are all cooling quickly in the cold water.
• The most important step for this dish? Drying the stalks once they are removed from the ice bath. Taking care that no water gets into the final salad is the best way to assure that the maximum flavor will be enjoyed! Transfer the asparagus to a large plate or platter lined with a kitchen towel and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey and mustard. Stir to blend. Whisk in the olive oil in an even, steady stream. When all of the oil has been integrated, taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• When ready to serve, remove the kitchen towel from the asparagus and simply toss the asparagus in the dressing to coat them completely. Arrange the stalks on plates and serve.

ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH HARD-BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Snap the woody ends off the asparagus. Steam for five minutes. Refresh with ice-cold water, then drain and dry on paper towels. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cut the boiled eggs in half, mince the yolks and whites separately, and season with salt and pepper
• In a salad bowl, whisk together the vinegar (or lemon juice and vinegar) and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the asparagus, capers and herbs, and toss together. Add the chopped egg yolks and whites, then toss together again and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Steam asparagus on a steamer rack set over boiling water, covered, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes (depending on thickness), then transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
• Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon.
• Halve egg and force each half through a coarse sieve into a bowl. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette and divide among 4 plates. Spoon remaining dressing over asparagus and top with egg.

MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Blend the vinegar, garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a blender until the garlic is finely chopped. With the blender running, slowly blend in the oil.
• Toss the baby greens, bell pepper, olives, and cheese with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with more salt and black pepper, and serve.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place spinach in a large bowl.
• Place shallot, vinegar and oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is nearly evaporated.
• Add almonds and paprika (if using) and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
• Stir in broth and olives and bring to a simmer.
• Immediately pour the dressing over the spinach and toss until slightly wilted.
• Serve.

SALAD OF WARM WHITE ASPARAGUS (SPARGEL), BABY ARUGULA AND BEEFST

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil.
• Set up a bowl with ice water and place near the sink.
• Place asparagus in boiling water and leave in for 2 to 3 minutes or until barely limp. Immediately transfer asparagus to ice bath for 5 minutes to stop the cooking process.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, mushrooms and garlic. Cook about 2 minutes or until mushrooms are beginning to brown. Add tarragon and salt, pepper and a splash of vinegar. Set aside.
• On 6 salad plates, plate 4 or 5 spears of asparagus. Top with a mound of arugula and arrange 2 or 3 slices of tomato on each mound. Drizzle porcini dressing over each salad and serve.