Best White Asparagus Recipes

LEMONY PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Grate the zest from the lemon into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze the juice from half of it on top of the zest. Add the white beans, shallot or onion, grated garlic, red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt and toss well. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just shy of al dente, usually 2 minutes less than the package directs.
• Meanwhile, heat a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, then add the asparagus. Sauté until the asparagus is tender and starting to brown at the edges, 7 to 10 minutes. Add a big pinch of salt and the sliced garlic and sauté until the garlic is lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• Dip a coffee mug or glass measuring cup into the pasta water and scoop out about 1/2 cup of it to use for the sauce. Drain pasta, shaking it well. Add pasta, bean mixture, parsley and Parmesan to sauté pan and cook until the beans are hot and the pasta is al dente. If the mixture looks dry, splash in some (or all) of the reserved pasta water. Squeeze remaining lemon half over pasta, toss and taste. Season with pepper; add more salt, red-pepper flakes and lemon juice, if desired.

WHITE BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH TARRAGON-LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• If using canned beans, drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending upon what kind of beans you're using. Drain.
• Break off tough ends of the asparagus. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl with ice and cold water. Blanch trimmed asparagus for 1 1/2 minutes, or until just cooked through but still firm, then plunge them into the ice bath. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Pat dry and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a blender or food processor, combine tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and the lemon juice, and process until garlic is chopped. Pour in olive oil. Process until mixture is well blended and bright green, about 1 minute.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together beans, asparagus and dressing. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER, HAZELNUTS AND WHITE TRUFFLE OIL WITH ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• For the potatoes: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the fingerling potatoes with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the potatoes to a roasting pan and bake for about 25 minutes. Test with fork for tenderness. Remove them from oven to a bowl and set aside.
• For the asparagus: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and blanch until they become bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove and plunge into an ice bath or rinse under cold water.
• For the scallops: Heat a nonstick saute pan over medium heat until very hot and add the olive oil. Season scallops lightly with salt and pepper. When oil is hot, add the scallops and saute the first side until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Turn the scallops over, and after 1 minute, add the butter and the hazelnuts. When scallops are seared, transfer them to a plate and keep warm.
• Add lemon juice to the butter and hazelnuts. When the butter has browned add the 2 tablespoons of the chopped parsley. (Add 1 or 2 drops of white truffle oil to the butter, if desired.)
• Toss the potatoes and asparagus in the brown butter until heated through. Transfer the vegetables to a serving platter. Position the scallops over the vegetables and garnish with chopped parsley. Drizzle remaining brown butter over scallops and serve.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH WHITE ASPARAGUS AND MOREL SAUTé WITH CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Toss chicken pieces with peel, thyme, and chopped parsley in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Let chicken pieces stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; let stand 15 minutes more.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, add chicken pieces, skin side down; cook until deep brown, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over; reduce heat to medium and cook 2 minutes. Arrange in single layer in large ovenproof pot. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add onion, leeks, morels, and bay leaves to skillet; sauté over medium heat until vegetables are golden, about 7 minutes. Add wine and Sherry; increase heat to high and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil. Add 6 parsley sprigs. Pour vegetables over chicken. Cover pot with plastic wrap, then foil. Bake until chicken is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Transfer chicken pieces to rimmed baking sheet; roast in oven until brown, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, strain vegetable-broth mixture into medium saucepan. Press on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Boil liquid until reduced to 3 cups, about 15 minutes. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange chicken on large platter. Spoon reduced juices over. Arrange white asparagus, morels, and leeks over and around chicken. Top each chicken leg with dollop of crème fraîche and serve.

SPARGEL - WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH EASY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• Warm the olive oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the peeled and trimmed asparagus, lemon zest, and salt & pepper; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not over cook.
• Arrange on serving platter and squeeze with fresh lemon juice.
• Prepare the Hollandaise Sauce: Cut the butter into four pieces and place in a 1-quart glass measure or bowl. Microwave, covered with a paper towel, on high, until almost melted (about 45 seconds to 1 minute).
• Remove butter from the microwave and stir until completely melted.
• Separate eggs, placing the yolks in a small bowl and setting the whites aside for another purpose. Beat the yolks well with a whisk or fork, then add to the butter and stir well.
• Add cream, lemon juice, and sugar to egg mixture and stir well. Microwave mixture, uncovered, on high, until just slightly thick, about 1 to 2 minutes, stopping every 20 seconds to stir with a fork. Remove sauce from microwave and stir in the mustard.
• Pour warm sauce over the cooked white asparagus and serve at once. Garnish with fresh snipped parsley or fresh small edible flowers such as violets or Johnny jump-ups, if desired.
• NOTE: Sauce may be kept warm for up to 2 hours in an insulated container. Or cool the sauce to room temperature and refrigerate it in a covered microwave safe container for up to 24 hours. To re-warm, cover container with plastic wrap, pierce wrap with a knife to vent, and microwave on 50 percent power until heated through, about 2-3 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through. Do not allow sauce to boil.

WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large stockpot, and add the salt. Place asparagus spears in the water; cook just until tender, about 5 minutes. Gently transfer to a colander to drain, being careful not to damage the tips. Blot dry with paper towels, and arrange on a large serving platter. Serve warm with hollandaise sauce.

GRATIN OF WHITE ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F (convection oven to 425°F). Brush a copper or ceramic gratin dish with a little of the melted butter.
• Trim the asparagus: you will find that white asparagus needs to be trimmed much higher-roughly halfway up the stalks, as a rule of thumb. Slice the spears in half lengthwise and lay them in the buttered gratin dish. Sprinkle with most of the lemon thyme leaves, saving a few for garnish.
• Now put the crème fraîche and mustard into a heavy pan and place over medium heat. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat slightly and let bubble to reduce by about a quarter. Season the reduced mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, put the bread crumbs in a bowl, add the Parmesan, parsley, and some pepper, and toss with your fingers to combine.
• Pour the mustardy crème fraîche over the asparagus, then scatter the crumb mixture on top, distributing it evenly. Drizzle over the rest of the melted butter. Bake the gratin on the middle shelf of the oven until the top is crisp and golden and the cream bubbles up around the sides of the dish, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves and serve.

AUSTRIAN WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel the asparagus. Line the asparagus from the spear end and cut into approximately 6-inch lengths. Discard ends.
• In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the asparagus for 10 to 12 minutes, until tender being careful not to overcook.
• Drain the asparagus. Set aside. In a large saute pan, heat the butter. Add the brioche crumbs and saute until golden. Add the reserved asparagus and saute until well coated with the browned butter and brioche crumbs. Sprinkle with parsley, season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH CASHEW CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Trim the dry ends off the asparagus. If necessary, peel the fibrous exterior of the bottom half of each spear. Cut the top 3 1/2 inches of each stalk and set aside. Using a sharp knife, very finely julienne two or three of the stalk bottoms (reserve the rest for another use) and place in a small bowl. Add the chives, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
• On a sheet of heavy-duty or a double layer of aluminum foil, place the asparagus tips standing up and crimp the foil around them at the bottom so that they remain standing. Add the butter on top of the spears, and continue to crimp the foil closely around the spears, sealing it closed at the top. Place in the oven and roast until barely tender, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the cashew cream.
• In a food processor, pulse the cashews into a fine powder; be careful not to over-process and turn into a paste. Place 2/3 of the ground cashews into a small saucepan; set aside the remainder for garnish. Add the milk to the pan, with 1/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and immediately turn off heat. Mix well; set aside.
• When the asparagus is ready, open the packet and baste it with the juices from the bottom of the foil. On each of 4 small plates, arrange a spoonful of cashew cream and top with two asparagus tips. Place the asparagus julienne on the side and garnish with crushed cashews.

WHITE-BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cut asparagus on a diagonal into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
• Bring oil, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper to a simmer in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in beans and asparagus. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. While beans stand, toast bread until golden. Meanwhile, remove enough cheese from piece with a vegetable peeler to measure about 1/2 cup shavings. Add shavings to beans along with parsley, then toss.
• Spread hot toast with butter and rub buttered side of each with cut side of garlic clove, then season with salt and halve. Serve bean salad with toasts.

TUNA, ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling water for 4-5 mins until tender. Drain well, cool under running water, then cut into finger-length pieces. Toss together the tuna, beans, onion, capers and asparagus in a large serving bowl.
• Mix the oil, vinegar and tarragon together, then pour over the salad. Chill until ready to serve.

WHITE ASPARAGUS AND MOREL SAUTé

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add morels and sauté 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add thyme and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until morels are tender, about 6 minutes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet, then add asparagus; toss to coat. Sauté 2 minutes. Add leeks; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

ROASTED WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH HERBES DE PROVENCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Trim 1 1/2 inches off the bottom of each asparagus stalk. Lay flat on a cutting board and peel off outer layer.
• Transfer to a casserole dish and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle herbes de Provence, salt, and black pepper over asparagus.
• Roast in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

BRAISED WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH BLOOD-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Snap off ends of asparagus. Trim triangular leaves from sides, and peel spears. Place in single layer in heavy saucepan. Add enough stock to come about halfway up sides of spears. Add 2 tablespoons butter, place bay leaf on top, cover and cook over medium-high heat about 8 minutes, until spears are very tender.
• Meanwhile juice 3 blood oranges. Place all but 1 tablespoon juice in another saucepan, and simmer until reduced to 3 tablespoons. Whisk in remaining butter, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside. Peel remaining orange, removing all pith. Divide into segments, removing all membrane.
• Drain asparagus well, and place side by side on each of two large plates. Spoon blood orange sauce onto plates around spears. Drizzle asparagus with oil, allowing some droplets to fall into sauce. Dust lightly with salt and pepper. Top with cluster of blood-orange segments, and serve.

WHITE ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• In a large soup pot, add the butter and melt it over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until it begins to soften and melt, but not until brown since you want the soup to maintain a light, creamy shade. Add the peeled white asparagus (it is an extremely fibrous vegetable so make sure to peel it before cooking), the broth and the wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the asparagus is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes. Carefully add the soup, in batches, to a blender and puree. Return the soup to the pot over low heat. Add the half-and-half and season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Warm the soup until heated through. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with chervil before serving.
• In a large soup pot, add the butter and melt it over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until it begins to soften and melt, but not until brown since you want the soup to maintain a light, creamy shade. Add the peeled white asparagus (it is an extremely fibrous vegetable so make sure to peel it before cooking), the broth and the wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the asparagus is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes. Carefully add the soup, in batches, to a blender and puree. Return the soup to the pot over low heat. Add the half-and-half and season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Warm the soup until heated through. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with chervil before serving.

WHITE BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Mix one 15-ounce can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) with 1 grated garlic clove, 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar or white wine vinegar in a large bowl; let stand 15 minutes. Shave 1 bunch trimmed jumbo asparagus into ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Add to the bowl along with 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon and another 1 teaspoon vinegar; season with salt and pepper and toss. Toast 3 tablespoons panko in 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet; sprinkle over the salad.

PAN-SEARED HALIBUT WITH WHITE ASPARAGUS RISOTTO AND PEA PURéE

Steps:

• Marinate the halibut:
• In a large bowl or baking dish, whisk together the oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the halibut and stir to coat it in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate, in the refrigerator, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Make the pea purée:
• In a blender or food processor, blend together the peas, spinach, and lemon juice, stopping and scraping down the sides occasionally, and blending until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Make the asparagus and risotto:
• Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and boil, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, then immediately plunge the spears into the ice water to stop cooking. Drain the asparagus again and pat dry.
• In a medium saucepan sauté pan over moderately high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the asparagus and toss it in the melted butter. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, warm the chicken stock. Keep the stock hot on the stove.
• In a second medium saucepan over moderate heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shallot and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the rice and sauté, stirring constantly, until just toasted. Add 1 cup of hot stock and simmer, stirring frequently, until the stock is almost absorbed, about 4 minutes. Add more stock, 1 cup at a time, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next and stirring often, until the rice is tender and the mixture creamy, about 20 minutes longer. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, Parmesan cheese, chives, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• Finish the halibut:
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Remove the halibut from the marinade and pat dry, then roll each fillet in a piece of caul fat. In a large sauté pan over moderate heat, warm the olive oil. Sear the halibut on all sides, then finish in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes.
• To serve:
• Divide the risotto among 4 plates. Top with asparagus and halibut, and drizzle with pea purée.

WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, truffle, kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking. Whisk in broth and season with more salt and pepper if necessary.
• Arrange asparagus on a steamer rack and sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. Steam asparagus, covered, over boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes for white (4 to 6 for green).
• Transfer asparagus with tongs to paper towels and pat dry. Divide among 4 plates, then spoon vinaigrette over and serve warm.

CREAM OF WHITE ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in butter for 5 minutes or until translucent.
• Add chicken stock, asparagus tips and stems, potato, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes.
• Remove asparagus tips and set aside.
• Allow soup to cool, then put in blender and blend till smooth.
• Return soup to saucepan, add reserved asparagus tips and cream and heat thoroughly.

FRESH ASPARAGUS AND WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Place Great Northern beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Drain.
• Place beans in a pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain and run beans under cold water to cool.
• Combine red bell peppers and asparagus in a pot and cover with water; bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Whisk olive oil, vinegar, parsley, shallot, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until dressing is smooth.
• Combine beans, red bell pepper, and asparagus in a bowl; pour 2/3 of the dressing over mixture and toss gently. Add more dressing if desired.