Antipasto Of Asparagus With Freshly Grated Parmigiano Cheese Recipes

BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175˚C).
• If using ridiculously pricy, top-notch balsamic vinegar, skip this step. Otherwise, throw the windows open and turn on the exhaust fan. Then place the vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, swirling the pan occasionally, until the vinegar is reduced by half, anywhere from 7 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the saucepan. Remove from the heat.
• Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 1 tablespoon of the salt and the asparagus and blanch until barely tender, about 1 minute for spears of average thickness, more for thicker spears and less for skinnier ones. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Pat the asparagus dry with paper towels.
• Place the asparagus in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or, if necessary, two sheets. Sprinkle the spears with salt to taste, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil, and turn to coat. Shower the asparagus with the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Bake until the spears are tender and the cheese is browned and almost bubbling (it won't actually melt), about 5 minutes.
• Use a spatula to shimmy the asparagus from the baking sheet to a platter. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the reduced balsamic vinegar or a few drops of the really top notch stuff and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Serve immediately, with the remaining reduced balsamic vinegar on the side.

KENMARE'S ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, shallots and wine. Place over medium heat and simmer until reduced by half, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Spread pecans on a baking sheet and bake, stirring once or twice, until toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place a skillet over low heat, add panko, and stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. When pecans are toasted, remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. When the pecans are cool, place in a blender and chop for a few seconds until coarsely ground. Mix with panko and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl combine asparagus, reduced cream, fontina, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Mix well and place in a gratin dish that is about 10 inches long and 4 inches wide, or an other shallow, ovenproof baking dish. Bake until asparagus are tender, the sauce is bubbling and the top is turning golden, 6 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with pecan-bread crumb mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the endive and radicchio with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread over the top of the asparagus gratin. Serve hot.

ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven broiler.
• With a vegetable peeler, scrape the asparagus to within one inch of the top. Cut off and discard the bottom part of the spears to make them of uniform length.
• Place the stalks in a skillet, add cold water to cover, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer about 2 to 3 minutes until tender yet firm.
• Drain the asparagus and arrange in a round or oval heatproof dish. Arrange neatly in one layer with the tip ends slightly staggered.
• Brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper.
• Place under the broiler for about 2 or 3 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.

ANTIPASTO OF ASPARAGUS WITH FRESHLY GRATED PARMIGIANO CHEESE

Steps:

• In wide skillet, place asparagus, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
• Cook until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Drain and set aside to cool.
• On platter, arrange lettuce, and when asparagus stalks are cool, arrange them on top in center with all of the spears pointing in one direction.
• Scatter tomatoes about and sprinkle with cheese, olive oil and salt.

ASPARAGUS WRAPPED IN CRISP PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with olive oil.
• Wrap one slice of prosciutto around each asparagus spear, starting at the bottom, and spiraling up to the tip. Place the wrapped spears on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove, and shake the pan back and forth to roll the spears over. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until asparagus is tender, and prosciutto is crisp. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut off and discard about 2 inches of the stem ends of the asparagus. The remaining spears should be about 6 inches long.
• Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil in a saucepan and add salt.
• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Add the asparagus to the water. When the water returns to a boil, let cook 3 minutes or to the desired degree of doneness. Cooking time will depend on the size of the asparagus. Drain quickly.
• Arrange the asparagus in overlapping layers on a baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and butter. Place under the broiler for about 2 1/2 minutes or until the cheese is glazed.