Savory Asparagus Food

SAVORY ASPARAGUS STRATA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, mushrooms, garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender., Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with asparagus mixture, goat cheese and remaining bread., In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, thyme, salt and remaining pepper. Pour over top; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. Meanwhile, prepare sauce mix according to package directions. Serve with strata.

SAVORY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the oil, tarragon, onion powder and pepper until blended. Drain asparagus; drizzle with oil mixture and toss to coat.

SAVORY ITALIAN ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Remove scales with a knife or vegetable peeler, if desired. Cover and cook in small amount of boiling water 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain; arrange on serving platter and keep warm.
• Combine tomato and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Spoon tomato mixture over asparagus; sprinkle with cheese. Serve.

SAVORY ASPARAGUS SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pan of water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus until crisp-tender, 1 to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Plunge the asparagus into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry. Cut each asparagus in half so that you have 2 pieces about 3 inches each.
• For the stalk halves of the asparagus: Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface with the corner pointed toward you. Lightly brush the center of the wrapper with oyster sauce. Lay a piece of the stalk-half of asparagus across the wrapper from corner to corner. Fold in the side corners of the wrapper toward the middle, fold up the bottom corner and then roll up. Seal the top of the wrapper by brushing some of the cornstarch mixture along the edges of the wrapper to help seal. Put the rolls onto a plate seam-side down while making the remaining rolls.
• For the spear end of the asparagus: Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface with square to you. Lightly brush the middle of the wrapper with oyster sauce. Lay a piece of asparagus with the tip overhanging the edge away from you. Fold up the bottom toward the center. Fold in one side of the wrapper toward the middle and then roll up. Use cornstarch mixture along the edge of the wrapper as a paste to help seal. Put onto a plate seam-side down while preparing the remaining rolls.
• Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add some of the vegetable oil. Add the rolls a few at a time and shallow fry, turning as they become golden brown; do not fry too many at one time and overcrowd the skillet. Once golden, remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
• On a small plate, mix together the black and white sesame seeds. Brush the cooked rolls with a little honey, and then roll them in the sesame seeds and serve.

SAVORY ASPARAGUS BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan or casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes and put all of the cubes in a large bowl.
• In medium bowl, whish together the milk, broth, eggs, salt, pepper, and dill until combined. Pour the mixture over the bread.
• Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus and cut the spears into 1-inch pieces. Add them to the bread along with the mushrooms and shallots.
• Fold everything together well to combine the ingredients. Spoon them into the prepared pan and pat down the top to compact the ingredients. Sprinkle the cheese evenly ever the top.
• Bake the pudding for 45 minutes, or until the top is browned and crisp and there is no liquid in the center. Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into portions.

SAVORY CREPES

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, eggs, 1/2 cup milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Continue whisking until you have a smooth batter. Add the remaining cup of milk and stir well to combine. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill the batter for at least 30 minutes or several hours.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Just before you are ready to make the crepes, whisk in the melted butter. The batter should be the consistency of heavy cream; if it is too thick, add milk slowly while whisking constantly until it is the right texture.
• Heat a 9-inch non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Melt a teaspoon of butter in the pan or spray with vegetable spray and heat the pan until a drop of water "dances" across the surface.
• Using a ladle or a measuring cup with a lip, pour about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the batter into the pan. Hold the pan with 1 hand and pour the batter in with the other. Swirl the pan while pouring so that the batter covers the pan thinly and evenly for each crepe. Pour off any excess batter. Try not to leave any holes. After the first few crepes you will know exactly how much batter your pan will hold.
• Cook the crepe over medium-high heat until the edges turn brown, about 15 seconds. Flip the crepe using a small spatula and your fingers. Cook on the second side for another 10 to 15 seconds. The second side will not be as evenly browned as the first side. Remove the pan from the heat and invert it over a warm plate to stack the crepes. Keep warm until ready to use. Continue making crepes with remaining batter, adjusting the heat as needed.
• If not using immediately, place a square of waxed paper between each 1, place in a resealable plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. Crepes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for several months. Reheat uncovered in a low oven (250 degrees) for 15 minutes or until warm. Fill with your favorite filling.

THYME AND GRUYERE SAVORY COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the egg wash, add the egg and 1 tablespoon water to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Add the cheese, flour, thyme, pepper and salt to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until the cheese is broken up and incorporated with the flour. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is smaller than a pea, about 10 to 15 pulses. Stream in the water, a tablespoon at a time, while pulsing. After two tablespoons, remove the lid and check your dough, it should look like wet sand and hold together when you press it together in your hand. If it doesn't hold together, place the lid back on and pulse in another tablespoon or two of water.
• Once the dough is the right consistency, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it a few times, just until it comes together. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll dough out until 1/4-inch-thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, cut out cookies and place them 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gather the dough scraps and lightly knead together. Continue the process of rolling out the dough and cutting cookies until all of the dough is used. Brush the cookies with the egg wash.
• Bake until the cookies are lightly golden and puffed, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

ASPARAGUS, LEEK & GRUYERE TART IN TARRAGON SAVORY CUSTARD

Steps:

• Make pastry.
• Mix together flour, salt, and butter in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until most of mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Drizzle evenly with egg and gently stir with a fork (or pulse in processor) just until a dough forms.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 portions. With heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather dough into a ball, then flatten into a 5-inch disk. Chill dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Make filling while pastry chills.
• Wash leek in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leek and pat dry.
• Cook asparagus in a 4- to 5-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer asparagus with tongs to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain and pat dry. Cut off and reserve tips (leave more stalk if asparagus is thin), then thinly slice stalks crosswise. Set 6 or so pieces of the asparagus aside for decoration, if you choose to.
• Heat butter in a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat until foam subsides, then cook leek with 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in remainder of sliced asparagus and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and quickly remove from heat.
• Finish filling and assemble and bake tart.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin into an 11-inch round, then fit dough inside 10" tart pan, pressing dough against bottom edge and side of ring. Run rolling pin over top edge of ring to cut off excess dough.
• Whisk together cream, 2 eggs, tarragon, leeks and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spoon asparagus into shell, spreading evenly, then pour cream mixture over asparagus.
• Bake tart until filling is just beginning to set but still loose on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Scatter 6 or so asparagus tips set aside earlier over top, pressing lightly if necessary to help them settle into filling, then continue to bake until custard is golden and just set but still slightly wobbly in center, about 30 minutes more (custard will continue to set as it cools).
• Cool tart on baking sheet on a rack until warm, about 30 minutes. Loosen edge with a small sharp knife, then lift off flan ring. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges.

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.

SAVORY ASPARAGUS CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13" baking dish with non-stick spray.
• Put croissant bottoms in baking dish.
• Sprinkle with 3/4 cup Swiss cheese.
• Top each croissant with 4 asparagus spears.
• Sprinkle with garlic salt, pepper and a little dill.
• Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup Swiss cheese.
• In bowl, combine eggs, half and half, cayenne, mustard, nutmeg and salt; beat well.
• Dip croissant tops in egg mixture and place on top of croissants in baking dish.
• Pour remaining egg mixture over croissants.
• Top each croissant with a few white and black sesame seeds (if using).
• At this point the dish can be covered and refrigerated overnight).
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake croissants for 15 minutes, or until egg mixture is set (if croissant brown too quickly, loosely cover dish with foil).
• Carefully cut around croissants and lift onto warmed serving plates.

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH ASPARAGUS, GRUYèRE, AND FINES HERBES

Steps:

• Place bread on 2 large baking sheets. Let stand uncovered overnight to dry out.
• Cook asparagus in medium pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water to cool. Drain well.
• Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Mix cheeses and herbs in medium bowl. Place half of bread in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with half of asparagus, then half of cheese mixture. Pour half of egg mixture over. Repeat with remaining bread, asparagus, cheese mixture, and egg mixture. Let stand 20 minutes, pressing with spatula to submerge bread pieces.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake bread pudding until brown and puffed, about 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.

SAVORY CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS HOLLANDAISE

Steps:

• Season chicken, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat and cook chicken, turning once, 10 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
• In same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat and cook asparagus and onion, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender.
• Stir in Knorr® Hollandaise sauce mix blended with milk and lemon juice. Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Pour sauce over chicken and serve, if desired, with hot cooked rice and garnish with lemon slices.

ASPARAGUS CREPES

Steps:

• For batter, combine milk and egg in a blender; cover and process until blended. Add flour; cover and process until blended. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Heat a lightly greased 8-in. skillet over medium heat. Stir batter. Pour 1/4 cup batter into center of pan. Quickly lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry; turn crepe over and cook until bottom is cooked, 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing pan as needed., Place six asparagus spears on one side of each crepe; roll up. Place seam side down in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 10-15 minutes., In a saucepan, whisk egg yolks and water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°. Whisk in the butter, lemon juice, salt and cayenne. Pour over warm crepes; sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN CREPES WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Make filling:
• Heat 5 tablespoons butter in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until foam subsides. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Gradually add milk and broth, whisking, and bring to a boil, whisking. Reduce heat and simmer gently, whisking frequently, until velouté sauce is silky and thick, about 25 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup sauce for topping.
• Cook shallot in remaining tablespoon butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Stir into velouté sauce along with chicken and Sherry.
• Cut tips from asparagus and set aside. Cut enough stalks into 1/4-inch pieces to measure 1 cup, reserving remainder for another use. Cook tips in a saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water with a slotted spoon. Scoop out tips and drain on paper towels, then reserve for topping. Cook and drain chopped asparagus in same manner and stir into velouté sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Make crêpes:
• Sift together flour, salt, nutmeg, and pepper to taste into a bowl. Whisk together milk, whole egg, and yolk in a small bowl, then gradually whisk into flour mixture. Force batter through a fine sieve into a bowl.
• Heat a dry 7- to 8-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot, then brush very lightly with some melted butter. Spoon about 2 tablespoons batter into skillet, tilting to coat bottom. (If batter sets before skillet is coated, reduce heat slightly for next crêpe.) Cook until underside is lightly browned, 6 to 10 seconds, then loosen crêpe with a spatula and flip. Cook until just cooked through, about 20 seconds, and transfer to a plate. Make 15 more crêpes in same manner, brushing skillet with melted butter as needed and stacking crêpes on plate.
• Assemble and bake crêpes:
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread 1/4 cup filling across center of 1 crêpe and roll into a cylinder. Transfer, seam side down, to buttered baking dish, then assemble more crêpes in same manner, fitting them snugly. Bake in middle of oven 15 minutes.
• Make topping while crêpes bake:
• Stir together yolk, 2 tablespoons cream, and reserved 1/2 cup sauce until smooth. Beat remaining 3 tablespoons cream with a whisk until it holds soft peaks, then fold into yolk mixture.
• Spoon topping over crêpes and broil 5 to 6 inches from heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
• Heat butter in skillet, then add reserved asparagus tips and toss until warm.
• Put 2 crêpes on each of 8 plates and top with asparagus tips.

SAVORY SPRING VEGETABLE AND GOAT CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Roll out pie crust on a lightly floured surface to a 12" round. Transfer to tart pan and press onto bottom and up sides. Bake crust according to package instructions. Let cool in pan on a wire rack.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Cut off top 1 1/2" of asparagus tips; reserve. Slice stalks into 1/4" rounds. Cut white bulbs from spring onions; trim and quarter (halve if using scallions). Slice pale-green parts into 1/4" pieces. Toss asparagus tips and spring onion bulbs in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Place in a single layer on prepared sheet; roast, turning once, until onions begin to brown and asparagus is bright green and tender, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil and butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced asparagus and pale-green parts of spring onions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until onions are soft and asparagus is bright green and tender, 6-8 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan. Spread evenly over bottom of tart crust.
• Whisk cheese and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in eggs. Pour over vegetables. Scatter asparagus tips and spring onion bulbs over.
• Bake tart until edges of crust are golden brown and filling is set, 20-22 minutes. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes or up to 4 hours.
• Remove sides of pan. Serve tart warm or at room temperature.