Best White Asparagus With Walnuts And Cranberries Recipes

BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• To cook asparagus: Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Break off woody stems of asparagus.
• If stalks are thick, peel with a vegetable peeler, pulling from stem end toward tip.
• (Pencil-thin spears do no need peeling.) Place in a greased or sprayed 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
• Dot with margarine.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender but still crisp.
• (Asparagus may be baked 1 day ahead and reheated in microwave.) To make topping: In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• (Topping may be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Before serving: Spoon topping over asparagus and sprinkle with walnuts.

RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH WALNUTS & PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place day-old bread in the food processor and whiz until fine. Measure out 1.5 to 2 cups of crumbs. Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the crumbs and the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crumbs are golden brown. This could take 5 to 15 minutes (or longer) depending on your heat level. If you have the time, go slowly to prevent burning. When the crumbs are nice and golden, turn off the heat. Let cool briefly. Taste. Add more salt if necessary. Measure out 1/3 cup of the crumbs - this is the amount the original recipe calls for. You can use more if you wish.
• Place the walnuts in a medium skillet. Set the skillet over low heat. Allow the walnuts to toast slowly while you prepare the salad. Remove them from the heat when they smell and look toasty. You can chop them on a cutting board or by gently crushing them in a tea towel.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the asparagus thinly on the bias.
• In a large bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, the 1/3 cup (or more!) toasted bread crumbs, the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, the crushed red pepper flakes (starting with 1/4 teaspoon if you are sensitive to heat), salt and pepper to taste, and the zest of the lemon. Stir to combine. Add the asparagus and toss to combine. "Taste and dial in the flavors by adding more salt, black pepper, chile flakes, or lemon juice. When the flavors are bright and delicious, add the mint (if using) and 1/4 cup olive oil." Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the flavors again if necessary.
• Transfer to a serving platter. Crack more pepper over top if you wish.

WOK-FRIED ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Snap off and discard bottoms of asparagus, then cut into 2-inch pieces. (Halve thicker pieces lengthwise first.)
• Set a wok over high heat and add vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add asparagus and season lightly with salt. Stir-fry for a minute or so, then add Sichuan pepper, five-spice powder, garlic, ginger, sugar, chiles, soy sauce and walnuts. Continue cooking over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing to coat well, until asparagus is cooked but still firm and bright green. (It will continue to cook a bit off the heat.)
• Transfer asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle green onions over the top and garnish with cilantro sprigs.

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• 1. Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water. Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath. The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
• 2. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the asparagus and cook for 1 to 1½ minutes. You want them to be crunchy. If the asparagus are thicker, cook for 1½ to 2 minutes.
• 3. Remove the asparagus from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath. Move them around gently so the ice water penetrates the asparagus and accelerates the cooling process. Vegetables take longer than you think to cool so allow them to sit a few minutes in the ice water. Hold a piece of the asparagus in your hand for a few seconds to assure that it's really cool (even in the center). If the piece still feels warm, allow them to cool longer in the ice bath. Place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
• 4. Heat oil a medium skillet until hot (but not smoking), add the walnuts and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. They should bubble and fry slightly in the oil. When you can smell the walnuts, add the paprika and cayenne and lower the heat to medium. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Set aside.
• 5. Toss the asparagus in the bowl with the walnuts and the oil. Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few minutes. When ready to serve, stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS, PARMESAN AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the foam has subsided and the butter turns a deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Take care that it doesn't burn.) Stir in the nuts and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon nut mixture over warm asparagus and serve at once.

ALMOST-FAMOUS CRANBERRY WALNUT RELISH

Steps:

• Finely grate the zest of half of the orange into a medium saucepan, then squeeze in all of the juice. Add the cranberries, sugar and walnuts and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the cranberries start to pop, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Peel asparagus and boil in water with 1 teaspoon each sugar and salt until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Roughly chop walnuts, carefully toast in a dry pan.
• Arrange drained asparagus on two platters, sprinkle with toasted walnuts and cranberries, drizzle with flax seed oil.
• Enjoy!

WALNUT RISOTTO WITH ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Bring broth to simmer in medium saucepan. Cover and remove from heat. Heat 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until light golden, about 4 minutes. Add rice and stir 1 minute. Add wine and stir until wine evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup hot broth and cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Continue adding more broth, 1/2 cupful at a time, until rice is tender and creamy, stirring frequently and allowing most of broth to be absorbed before adding more, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place asparagus and garlic in shallow baking dish. Drizzle remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat with oil. Bake asparagus until tender, turning occasionally, about 16 minutes.
• Mix walnuts and grated Parmesan into risotto. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange roasted asparagus in center of 4 plates. Top with risotto.