Friday, May 04, 2007

OK, OK I know .... a bit OTT ...but you can't overdo a good thing!!

The two following recipes are not for the faint of heart but if you really want to impress at a dinner party use them. To be honest, they are very easy -especially the last one!! ... and soooo very yummy!

Asparagus with Hazelnuts and Tarragon Vinaigrette
1 pound fresh, trimmed asparagus, ¼ cup minced shallots, 3 Tbs. tarragon-flavored white wine vinegar, 4 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon (or 1¼ tsps. dried), 1 tsp. Dijon mustard. 7 Tbs. hazelnut, walnut or olive oil, 4 cups baby lettuces or inner leaves of curly endive, ¼ cup hazelnuts, toasted, husked and coarsely chopped.
Steam asparagus till crisp-tender (or boil as above in deep-sided skillet), about 3-5 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water and cool. Drain. Place asparagus on paper towels. Combine shallots, vinegar, tarragon and mustard in a bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the lettuces or endive on a large platter. Arrange the asparagus on top. Drizzle with the vinaigrette, then sprinkle with hazelnuts. Serves 4.

Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbs. olive oil, 1 ½ lbs. slender asparagus, trimmed, 3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, Salt & pepper, ¼ cup ( ½ to 1 oz.) Parmesan cheese curls
Place a 10-in. ovenproof frying pan in a 500° oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and swirl oil in pan. With tongs, roll asparagus in oil. Bake asparagus till tender-crisp to bite, 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with vinegar; add salt and pepper to taste. Scatter Parmesan cheese curls on top.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well, here it is another year
And there is a cause that I hold dear
It is raising funds and trying our best
To make some money for cancer of the breast
Just click on the ads....it is all quite slick
And we will raise some funds for it really quick
We all have a share in it....being women, you and I
If we can cure this disease, it will gives us all a real high!!!