Griddled Asparagus Piperade Poached Eggs And Grits Recipes

Steps:

• For the grits: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock, grits, sea salt, and butter and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and cook the grits, stirring often, for 30 minutes or until tender.
• For the tomato concasse: To peel the tomato, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Prep the tomatoes by making an X at one end and trimming the other. Drop the tomatoes in boiling water for 10-60 seconds, depending on ripeness, then immediately place in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Peel the tomato skin away; then slice around the seeds and dice to make a traditional concasse.
• Make the piperade: In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil, garlic, and shallots. Slowly cook over medium-low heat, making sure not to allow any color to develop, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, peppers, a pinch of sea salt, the bay leaves, and Espelette pepper. Continue to cook for 20 more minutes or until the consistency is much like a thick soup. While the piperade is cooking, finish the grits with heavy cream, stir, and then cover with a butter wrapper to prevent a film from forming on top. Set aside. Finish the piperade with a pinch of salt, Espelette pepper, and sherry vinegar. Cover and set aside to keep warm. (Remove the bay leaves prior to serving.)
• Poach the eggs: Pour 2 quarts of cold water into your poaching pot and bring to a simmer, until the temperature on a thermometer reads around 180 degrees F. Add distilled white vinegar and a pinch of salt to the water. Find 4 ramekins or teacups in your cupboard. Crack 1 egg into each ramekin. Swirl the water a few times with a large spoon. While the water is still swirling around, gently pour an egg into the water. Start the timer. We are going for 4 minutes for a soft yolk, but if you like firm yolks, go longer. When it's done, spoon the egg onto paper towels to drain; then season with a pinch of salt. Note: Poaching can be done with up to 4 eggs at a time.
• Plate the dish: Spoon grits onto plate and nestle a spoonful of piperade off to the side. Gently place the poached egg on top of the piperade. Finish with a sprinkle of Espelette pepper over the egg. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cut (or break) off the woody ends from the asparagus. Boil the spears in a large pan of salted water for 3 minutes. Drain, then plunge the spears into ice-cold water to stop the cooking and set the colour. Pat the asparagus dry.
• Oil the spears lightly. Leave a large cast-iron griddle over a high heat until it's very hot, then arrange the spears on it in a single layer. (You may have to griddle the asparagus in two batches.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook the spears for 3-4 minutes. Turn them with tongs and cook for a few more minutes, or until the spears are tender to the point of a knife and lightly gilded.
• Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and sprinkle on a few drops of balsamic vinegar. Serve while still hot, although the spears will also taste very good at room temperature.
• To get ahead, you can prepare the asparagus to the end of step 1 and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium-high heat.
• Holding the tip and stem of each asparagus spear, snap the asparagus where it will naturally break. Discard the ends. Toss the asparagus with oil and salt to taste. Grill the asparagus until slightly charred and pliable on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes for pencil or 5 to 7 minutes for standard. Remove to a platter and reserve at room temperature. Grill each slice of bread until crispy and slightly charred on both sides. Rub each piece of bread vigorously with the raw garlic clove. Reserve with the asparagus.
• Fill a bowl with cold tap water and the ice cubes. This will be the holding area for the eggs after they have been poached. Keep the bowl near the stove.
• Fill a medium saucepan two-thirds of the way with water. Add the white vinegar and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat on the burner until the bubbles in the water have subsided. Gently crack and drop each egg into the water. Cook the eggs for 3 to 4 minutes. When done, the whites will be cooked through and the yolks will be warm but still liquid. Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggs from the saucepan and place in the bowl of cold water. Reserve.
• To assemble the salad: Toss the arugula with half of the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Gently toss the salad until coated with the lemon and olive oil. Add more lemon juice and oil if needed. TASTE IT! The salad should be dressed and flavorful but not soggy. Divide the arugula among 4 individual plates. Arrange the asparagus on top of the arugula on each plate.
• While dressing the salad, bring the saucepan of poaching water to a simmer. Gently return the eggs to the saucepan until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. When the eggs are hot, remove them from the pan with a slotted spoon and gently blot on a tea towel to remove any excess water. Immediately place 1 egg on top of the asparagus on each plate. Sprinkle each with some salt, Parmigiano and lemon zest. Drizzle each piece of grilled bread generously with olive oil and cut in half on the bias. Lean the toast halves against each egg.
• Voila!

Steps:

• Fill a high-sided skillet or a wide saucepan with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in vinegar. Break egg into a small shallow bowl or cup. Reduce heat to a high simmer. Lower the bowl with egg just to the edge of the simmering water. Quickly empty egg into the bubbling water. Use a spoon to keep egg white together, if needed. Simmer until yolk is just set, about 4 minutes.
• Remove poached egg with a slotted spoon, and drain it quickly on a paper towel. Place egg over Creamy Calcium Grits. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.