Asparagus Pepperoni Triangles Recipes

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook the garlic, red pepper flakes and hot pepper sauce in oil and butter for 1 minute. Add the asparagus, salt and pepper; saute until asparagus is crisp-tender, 8-10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Pour over hot pasta and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS, BELL PEPPER AND MOZZARELLA QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Arrange the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish, cover and microwave on high until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. (If you don?t have a microwave, you can steam the asparagus instead.) Brush asparagus with 1 tablespoon of the oil.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Grill the asparagus, flipping occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Cut asparagus in half crosswise and then slice on the bias into 1-inch pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until tender and slightly charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Lay a tortilla on a work surface and top evenly with 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Add 1/4 of the asparagus and 1/4 of the peppers. Fold tortilla in half to enclose fillings. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
• Melt 1/2 tablespoon of the butter in a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the quesadilla, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and it is golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
• Cut into triangles and serve topped with guacamole, salsa, chopped scallions and sour cream.

FETTUCCINE WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Cut off tough ends of asparagus spears. Cut each on the bias into 1-inch lengths. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Rinse well and drain.
• Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 2 minutes. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Drop the fettuccine into salted boiling water. Let cook to desired degree of doneness (cooking time will range from about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for fresh pasta to 9 minutes or more for dried). Reserve 2 tablespoons cooking water. Drain the pasta.
• Heat the butter in the pot in which the pasta was cooked. Add the asparagus pieces and the fettuccine. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of cooking water and basil. Toss to blend. Serve hot with Parmesan cheese on the side.

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS PIZZAS

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, yeast, thyme, salt and sugar. Add water; beat until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Brush asparagus with oil; sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Grill asparagus, uncovered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender, turning every 2 minutes. Cut into 1-inch pieces., Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into eight portions. Roll each portion into a 6-in. circle. Place dough directly on grill. , Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until bubbles form on top. Place toasted side up on two ungreased baking sheets. Top with pizza sauce, asparagus, ham and cheese. Cover and grill 2-3 minutes longer or until bottom of crust is golden brown.

ASPARAGUS CHEESE TRIANGLES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; add asparagus. Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water; drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, cheeses, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Brush a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll phyllo sheets; trim short side to fit pan. Cover dough with plastic wrap and a damp cloth while assembling. Place two sheets of phyllo in pan; brush with butter. Repeat eight times. Spread with asparagus mixture. Layer with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter.
• Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces; cut each piece in half diagonally.
• Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• For aioli:
• Whisk vinegar, honey, and saffron threads in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cool completely. Mix mayonnaise and garlic in medium bowl to blend. Mix in cooled vinegar mixture. Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For asparagus:
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss asparagus with oil on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill asparagus until crisp-tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter. Drizzle aioli over asparagus. Sprinkle with bell pepper.