Scalloped Asparagus Food

SAUTEED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off the woody ends of 2 bunches medium asparagus; discard. Slice the spears diagonally into 2-inch pieces. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; add the asparagus and cook until tender but still bright green, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and toss with the juice of 1 lemon. Top with 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, and lemon zest to taste.

SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, reserving skillet off heat (do not clean).
• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté half of scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops with tongs to another plate as cooked.
• Wipe out skillet with paper towels, then add remaining tablespoon oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté remaining scallops, turning over once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total, transferring to plate. (Do not wipe out skillet after second batch.)
• Carefully add wine and vinegar to skillet (mixture may spatter) and boil, scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
• Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle on the oil, sprinkle on the salt and pepper and toss. Roast until tender and browning at the edges, about 20 minutes.

SAUTEED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat and heat. Once oil is hot add asparagus spears; cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water and cover to steam asparagus and keep it from drying out. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Season with salt and pepper.

ASPARAGUS-AND-POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss bread-crumbs with oil; season with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until crisp and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add asparagus. Return to a boil and cook until crisp-tender, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer to a plate. Add potatoes to pot; cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Arrange potatoes in the bottom of an 8 1/2-by-11 1/2-inch or 2-quart baking dish (about 1 1/2 inches deep).
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook until it has a slightly nutty aroma, about 30 seconds. Gradually (to avoid lumps) whisk in milk. Bring mixture to a boil and cook, whisking, until thickened slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; add both cheeses and whisk until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour half of sauce over potatoes. Arrange prosciutto and half of asparagus on top. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Top with remaining asparagus, then bread-crumbs. (Dish can be made to this point and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day; add 10 minutes to baking time.) Bake until bubbling around edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly; serve, sprinkled with more Pecorino and chive blossoms.

SAUTéED SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS PURéE

Steps:

• Asparagus: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt the water generously (make it as salty as seawater). Trim the woody ends from asparagus and discard; then submerge asparagus in the boiling water. Cover with lid just until the water comes back to a boil, then uncover and cook until al dente (tender but with just a little crunch), 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice water.
• Asparagus are done when they bend without snapping. Use a spider strainer to transfer them to the ice bath; submerge and stir to immediately stop the cooking. Reserve cooking water (to thin purée). Cut asparagus tips and reserve for garnish. Cut stalks into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
• Place asparagus stalks in the blender and cover with lid; pulse a few times. Remove the smaller cap in the lid and turn blender to medium speed. Ladle in a slow stream of cooking water (about ½ cup) to help the asparagus purée. Use caution, as the water and purée are hot! Replace the cap, then purée on high speed. When the purée is smooth, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove any fibrous strands. Salt the purée to taste and set aside.
• Scallops: Place scallops on paper towels in an even layer and pat dry; this is an important step to get a nice sear. Pull off and discard any tough side-muscles (their fibers run against the grain of the rest of the scallop). Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add oil. (Add more as needed to coat the bottom of the skillet.) When the oil begins to ripple, add scallops in an even layer without crowding. Let cook undisturbed, 60-90 seconds. Scallops are ready to flip when they are evenly caramelized and no longer stick to the skillet. Before flipping, sprinkle with sea salt. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the asparagus purée.
• When scallops are golden brown on the first side, they should release easily from the skillet. Using a small offset spatula, flip each scallop to sear the second side; continue sautéing, 30-45 more seconds, depending on size. Remove scallops to a paper towel-lined plate and let rest while finishing the sauce.
• Add half of the asparagus tips to the warmed purée. Add butter, then swirl the saucepan continuously until all the butter has melted and emulsified into the purée to make a rich sauce.
• Immediately before serving, add the lemon juice to the asparagus sauce and stir to combine; taste and adjust seasoning. Divide the sauce among plates or large bowls, then place the scallops on the sauce. Garnish with remaining asparagus tips and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS SCALLOP STIR-FRY

Steps:

• If scallops are large, cut in half and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, chicken broth and soy sauce until smooth; set aside. , In a large skillet, saute the asparagus, onion and celery in 1 tablespoon oil for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and water chestnuts; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove vegetable mixture and set aside., In the same skillet, stir-fry scallops in remaining oil for 2-3 minutes or until scallops are firm and opaque. Stir chicken broth mixture; add to pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add vegetables; heat through. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve with rice if desired.

ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the upper third. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; prepare an ice bath. Add asparagus and cook until just tender and bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to ice bath; drain.
• Return pot to medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes; remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Discard rendered fat or reserve for another use. Add butter to same pot and heat over medium until foamy. Add onion, nutmeg, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in mustard, then gradually whisk in milk and bring to a boil, whisking often. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. (You should have about 2 cups bechamel.) If not using right away, press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce to keep a film from forming.
• Spread 1 cup bechamel evenly across the bottom of a 9-inch-square baking dish. Reserving 1 cup for topping, sprinkle remaining asparagus over bechamel. Arrange reserved bacon in an even layer on top, followed by the sliced eggs, cracker crumbs and remaining bechamel. Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup asparagus down the center of the casserole, then sprinkle the cheese evenly on top and season with black pepper. Bake until sauce is bubbling, about 25 minutes. Turn oven to broil setting and continue to cook until golden-brown on top, 3 to 4 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes on a wire rack before serving.

SCALLOPED ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Wash asparagus, remove woody part of stalks and cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook asparagus in boiling salted water until just tender.
• Drain and place in a shallow baking dish or casserole.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in saucepan.
• Mix 2 tablespoons of the butter with the soft bread crumbs; set aside for topping casserole later.
• Blend flour, salt, and pepper into remaining butter in saucepan.
• Continue cooking and stirring over low heat.
• Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened.
• Add Worcestershire sauce, red pepper, and cheese; stir until cheese is melted.
• Pour sauce over asparagus in casserole; top with buttered crumbs.
• Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

SCALLOPED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Rinse and clean asparagus, discarding tough ends and removing scales. Boil in salted water for 10 minutes, until tender-crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan until melted. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes until thick.
• Place 1/2 of the asparagus in the bottom of a greased 1 1/2 quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the chopped eggs. and dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper over all.
• Top with remaining asparagus. Sprinkle the remaining chopped eggs along the center portion of the asparagus.
• Pour the cream sauce down the middle of the baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and cheese. Dot uncovered portions of asparagus with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Bake, covered, and 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove cover and bake 3-5 minutes longer or until topping is browned. Served immediately.

SCALLOPS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim asparagus, then cut stems into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices, leaving tips whole.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté asparagus, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, reserving skillet off heat (do not clean).
• Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté half of scallops, turning over once, until browned and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer scallops with tongs to another plate as cooked.
• Wipe out skillet with paper towels, then add remaining tablespoon oil and heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté remaining scallops, turning over once, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total, transferring to plate. (Do not wipe out skillet after second batch.).
• Carefully add wine and vinegar to skillet (mixture may spatter) and boil, scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Add any scallop juices accumulated on plate and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated.
• Add asparagus and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Serve scallops topped with asparagus and sauce.

STIR-FRIED ASPARAGUS, SCALLOPS AND SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus for one to two minutes until al dente. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan. Stir-fry the garlic, scallions and ginger for one minute. Add scallops and the asparagus and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the corn-starch mixture and bring to a boil.
• Add the soy sauce and sesame oil with the sesame seeds. Toss mixture well and serve.

STIR-FRIED SCALLOPS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Discard seasoning package from ramen noodles or save for another use. Cook ramen noodles according to package directions; keep warm. , Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry asparagus and red pepper until vegetables are crisp-tender, 2 minutes. Add green onions and garlic, stir-fry 1 minute longer. Add scallops. Stir-fry until scallops are firm and opaque, 3 minutes. , Combine the lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil and hot pepper sauce; stir into skillet. Serve with ramen noodles.

SEARED SCALLOPS AND ASPARAGUS WITH ASIAN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Finely chop peppercorns in processor. Cook sake, shallots, ginger, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon chopped peppercorns in small saucepan over medium heat until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 15 minutes. Add cream; simmer until liquid coats spoon, about 6 minutes. Strain into another small saucepan.
• Cook asparagus in saucepan of boiling salted water 2 minutes. Drain. Refresh under cold water; drain. Sprinkle remaining chopped peppercorns over both sides of scallops. Season with salt.
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add scallops; cook until golden and almost cooked through, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add asparagus; sauté until scallops are cooked through and asparagus is hot, about 30 seconds. Arrange scallops on plates. Bring sauce to simmer. Spoon sauce around scallops. Garnish with asparagus. Sprinkle with chives.