Asparagus With Fresh Herbs Recipes

FRESH ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON-HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot.
• Add in the asparagus; cook until just crisp-tender (about 4 minutes).
• Uning large tongs remove the asparagus to a bowl of ice water (reserve 1 cup of the chicken broth).
• Drain the asparagus and pat very dry with paper towels.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add in the chopped green onions, shallots and sugar; saute until the onions and shallots are tender (about 5 minutes).
• Add in garlic; saute 2 minutes.
• Add in the reserved 1 cup broth, 1 tablespoons oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, thyme and lemon peel; simmer until slightly thickened and the liquid is reduced to about 1-1/4 cups (about 5 minutes).
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Arrange the asparagus on a platter.
• Spoon the prepared lemon sauce over, then sprinkle with more chopped green onions.

BUTTER-BRAISED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of the asparagus spears. If using large, thick asparagus, peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler.
• Put butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the asparagus is firm-tender, about 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook them; they should still be bright green. (They will continue to cook a bit once the heat is off.) Remove the asparagus from the pan and place on a serving platter.
• Turn heat to high and simmer briskly until most of the liquid has evaporated, a minute or so. Add lemon juice and zest to the buttery juices. Turn off heat and stir in chives, parsley, tarragon and dill, if using. Check seasoning. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, garnish with a few herb leaves, and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Stand asparagus, tips up, in two inches of water and steam, covered, until still slightly al dente. Remove to a serving platter.
• Meanwhile, make sauce. Combine basil, mint, lemon juice, chives, parsley, salt and pepper in blender or food processor. Add two tablespoons olive oil. Blend until smooth, adding more oil if necessary. You will probably need 3 to 4 tablespoons.
• Correct seasonings and pour sauce over asparagus. Serve at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH HERBS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, parsley, carrot, basil, tarragon, salt, pepper and cayenne. Cut asparagus into 1-in. pieces; set tips aside. Add asparagus pieces to saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool slightly., Puree soup in batches in a blender. Return to the saucepan. Stir in asparagus tips; cook for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Garnish with sour cream and tomatoes if desired.

ASPARAGUS WITH OLIVE OIL & HERBS

Steps:

• Mix parsley, garlic& oil in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
• Add asparagus& mix to ensure that all stalks are covered with oil mixture.
• Place asparagus into a skillet large enough for the asparagus to lie flat in no more than 2 layers.
• Season with salt& pepper.
• Cover& cook over medium-high heat until sizzling.
• Reduce heat to low& simmer until asparagus is tender but not mushy, 10- 20 minutes.
• Transfer to serving platter& sprinkle mint over top.
• Stir lemon juice into the pan juices, season to taste& pour over asparagus.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS, GREEN ONION, CUCUMBER, AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil.
• DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and rewhisk beforeusing.
• For salad:
• Fill large bowl with lightly salted ice water; stir until salt dissolves. Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 cups cooking liquid. Transfer asparagus to bowl of salted ice water to cool. Place green onions in another large bowl; pour hot reserved asparagus cooking liquid over onions and let stand until cool, about 30 minutes. Drain asparagus and green onions well. Transfer onions to clean kitchen towel and squeeze dry. DO AHEAD: Asparagus and onions can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap separately in several layers of paper towels, then enclose in resealable plastic bags and refrigerate.
• Combine green onions, cucumbers, and herbs in mixing bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange asparagus on platter. Spoon cucumber mixture over and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• In small saucepan, melt butter.
• Stir in tarragon and lemon peel.
• Simmer 2 minutes over low heat.
• Pour over warmed asparagus spears.