Asparagus Finger Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Trim crusts from bread, and flatten slightly with a rolling pin.
• In a bowl, stir blue and cream cheeses together with the egg until well blended and creamy. Spread a thin layer of cheese mixture over each slice of bread. Roll one asparagus spear inside each, and fasten with a toothpick.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan. Roll each asparagus wrap in butter to coat. Place on a baking sheet small enough to fit into the freezer, and freeze for one hour, or until butter hardens and wraps are somewhat firm. Remove pan from freezer, discard toothpicks, and cut each wrap in half crosswise. Store in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer until ready to use.
• To serve, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• Arrange frozen asparagus wraps on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Check occasionally, and turn if necessary, for even browning and to prevent burning. Enjoy!

Steps:

• In a saucepan reduce balsamic vinegar until thick and malty. Place in a squirt bottle. In a large mixing bowl, place radicchio, spinach, endive, watercress and arugula. Toss until mixed well. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine shallots, asparagus and the tomato. Add just a touch of balsamic reduction and the olive oil. Mix to coat the vegetables.
• On a plate, place salad mix, then asparagus mixture, then carrot strips. Top with a light squirt of balsamic reduction and salt and pepper serve

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.

Steps:

• Put the barley in a medium pot with water to cover by a few inches and salt it generously. Tie the thyme sprigs, parsley stems, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot, along with the lemon peel. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and remove the herbs and lemon.
• Meanwhile, toss the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl. Whisk the remaining lemon juice with the mustard, remaining salt, and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick vinaigrette. Add the shallots.
• Toss the mushrooms, barley, and the dressing together. Stir in the chopped herbs. Set aside at room temperature for about 1 hour for the flavors to come together.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spread the spears in a single layer in a shallow baking pan, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roll to coat thoroughly. Roast the asparagus until lightly browned and tender, about 10 minutes, giving the pan a good shake about halfway through.
• Spread the roasted asparagus on a serving platter. Spoon the barley salad on top and serve.
• Per Serving: Calories: 258; Total Fat: 14 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 7 grams; Total carbohydrates: 29 grams; Sugar: 4 grams; Fiber: 8 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 689 milligrams

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer.
• Fit the basket in the steamer.
• Steam the asparagus over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, until bright green and tender.
• Remove from heat and let asparagus cool in the steamer.
• Combine yogurt and blue cheese in a small saucepan.
• Warm over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, just until the blue cheese has melted.
• Remove pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, chives, and garlic.
• Arrange the asparagus in the center of a serving plate and ring with the tomato wedges.
• Drizzle the yogurt dressing over the asparagus.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with fennel leaves.

Steps:

• Use a swivel blade peeler to shave the asparagus into ribbons. Put in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, then dress with the lemon juice and olive oil and set aside.
• Mix the parsley, capers, gherkin and lemon zest into the mayonnaise in a small bowl, then gently fold through the crabmeat. Toast or griddle the sourdough and top with the crab mixture. Toss the rocket in with the asparagus and top each crab toast with a tangle of the asparagus salad. Season with flaky sea salt and serve.