Asparagus Appetizer Spear Ecstasy Recipes

ASPARAGUS APPETIZERS

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!

SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the onion powder, seasoned salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Add asparagus spears, stir gently to coat. Cover and cook 5-7 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

ASPARAGUS APPETIZER ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, bacon and green onion. Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin; spread tops with cream cheese mixture. Trim asparagus 2 in. longer than bread. Place two spears on each slice; roll up bread and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS APPETIZER - SPEAR ECSTASY

Steps:

• To make Dipping Sauce: Mix well the sour cream, mayo, onion, lemon juice, capers, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk.
• Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Steam asparagus until fork tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Mix Ice Bath together in large bowl. Plunge asparagus into ice water and let sit until cold.
• (I personally skipped the water bath and just let steamed asparagus drain in colander until cooled.) Transfer to paper towel to drain.
• Refrigerate.
• Serve chilled asparagus with dipping sauce.
• Note Do Ahead tips: The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and regrigerated. The asparagus can be prepared 1 day in advance and refrigerated.

CRUNCH CRAZY ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare the asparagus by trimming off the tough woody stem.
• Set up a breading station by whipping the egg whites and mayonnaise together (the mayonnaise helps the whites stick to the asparagus). Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
• In a separate, dish add the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and paprika. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix. Dip each asparagus spear in the egg wash and then coat evenly in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Place the spears on a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with some olive oil (this will help them crisp up).
• Bake until golden and crispy, 15 to 17 minutes. Serve immediately.

SPEAR ECSTASY

Steps:

• To Make Dipping Sauce: Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, lemon juice, capers, lemon zest, tarragon, onion powder, sugar and pepper together using a whisk. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Cook the asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water until tender when pierced with a fork, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix the ice, water, and kosher salt together in a large bowl. Remove the asparagus from the steamer and refresh it by plunging it into the ice water. Let sit until cold. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to dry. Refrigerate. Serve chilled with the dipping sauce.

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.