Asparagus Appetizer Spread Recipes

ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC DIP

Steps:

• Trim 3 bunches asparagus; peel the bottoms. Boil until tender, 4 to 5 minutes; drain and cool. Peel the cloves from 4 heads garlic and cook in 1/2 cup olive oil over low heat until soft, 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the oil. Puree the garlic with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon mayonnaise, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard and 1/4 cup water. Blend in 1/4 cup of the garlic oil. Season with salt, pepper and chopped chives; serve with the asparagus.

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!

BAKED ASPARAGUS DIP

Steps:

• Steam or microwave asparagus until soft. Process in food processor, leaving some texture. Blend with remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

BAKED ASPARAGUS DIP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, cheese and mayonnaise. Place in a 6-inch cast-iron skillet or 2-cup ovenproof bowl. Bake at 375° until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve warm with pita chips.

EASY ASPARAGUS-PROSCIUTTO ROLL UP APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Snap bottoms off of asparagus, use a vegetable peeler to peel spears and steam them to a point where they are not totally wilted. Refrigerate until needed.
• Lay out pieces of prosciutto and spread about one tablespoon of Boursin cheese onto each slice. Mean Chef has a recipe if you find it hard to locate in your local market -- Boursin Cheese - Make your own Recipe #65204.
• Put chilled asparagus spears on kitchen towels to absorb any moisture. Place one or two asparagus spears in each slice of prosciutto and roll. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.

ROASTED BALSAMIC GARLIC ASPARAGUS APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
• Trim the asparagus: rinse the asparagus, cut about an inch off the ends, then use a vegetable peeler to take the outer layer off another inch of the remaining fibrous ends (easiest is to lay the spear on a flat surface then use peeler to gently take off the layer - careful, or you'll remove too much).
• Place the trimmed asparagus in a single layer on a non-stick baking sheet, then spray with an olive oil mister or drizzle evenly with olive oil (or spray with pan spray).
• Season with the sea salt and the freshly ground pepper.
• Place in oven and roast for 8 minutes (don't overcook).
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over very low heat melt the butter and extra virgin olive oil.
• Add the sliced garlic and simmer (again, over very low heat) for 5 minutes - careful not to burn.
• Remove from heat and add the soy sauce and balsamic.
• When asparagus is done, remove from the oven and place in a container which has an airtight cover.
• Place the garlic from the balsamic mixture on the asparagus; whisk the balsamic mixture well (I use a pigtail whisk) and pour it over the roasted asparagus.
• Cover tightly, shake, and place in refrigerator to chill (please note that the asparagus is still hot in the container, and that covering them and adding the sauce at this point will continue to steam them a bit for a few minutes).
• Chill for at least 4 hours before serving, the place attractively on serving platter.
• Goes well as part of an anti pasto course!
• Note: although I used these as an appetizer/snack, they could also work quite well as a side dish.

WARM ASPARAGUS-CRAB SPREAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the red pepper, onions and jalapenos in oil until tender. Add the asparagus, crab, mayonnaise and cheese. , Transfer to a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cashews. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with crackers.

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.