Cold Asparagus With Walnuts Recipes

RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH WALNUTS & PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place day-old bread in the food processor and whiz until fine. Measure out 1.5 to 2 cups of crumbs. Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the crumbs and the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crumbs are golden brown. This could take 5 to 15 minutes (or longer) depending on your heat level. If you have the time, go slowly to prevent burning. When the crumbs are nice and golden, turn off the heat. Let cool briefly. Taste. Add more salt if necessary. Measure out 1/3 cup of the crumbs - this is the amount the original recipe calls for. You can use more if you wish.
• Place the walnuts in a medium skillet. Set the skillet over low heat. Allow the walnuts to toast slowly while you prepare the salad. Remove them from the heat when they smell and look toasty. You can chop them on a cutting board or by gently crushing them in a tea towel.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the asparagus thinly on the bias.
• In a large bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, the 1/3 cup (or more!) toasted bread crumbs, the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, the crushed red pepper flakes (starting with 1/4 teaspoon if you are sensitive to heat), salt and pepper to taste, and the zest of the lemon. Stir to combine. Add the asparagus and toss to combine. "Taste and dial in the flavors by adding more salt, black pepper, chile flakes, or lemon juice. When the flavors are bright and delicious, add the mint (if using) and 1/4 cup olive oil." Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the flavors again if necessary.
• Transfer to a serving platter. Crack more pepper over top if you wish.

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• 1. Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water. Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath. The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
• 2. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the asparagus and cook for 1 to 1½ minutes. You want them to be crunchy. If the asparagus are thicker, cook for 1½ to 2 minutes.
• 3. Remove the asparagus from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath. Move them around gently so the ice water penetrates the asparagus and accelerates the cooling process. Vegetables take longer than you think to cool so allow them to sit a few minutes in the ice water. Hold a piece of the asparagus in your hand for a few seconds to assure that it's really cool (even in the center). If the piece still feels warm, allow them to cool longer in the ice bath. Place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
• 4. Heat oil a medium skillet until hot (but not smoking), add the walnuts and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. They should bubble and fry slightly in the oil. When you can smell the walnuts, add the paprika and cayenne and lower the heat to medium. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Set aside.
• 5. Toss the asparagus in the bowl with the walnuts and the oil. Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few minutes. When ready to serve, stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS, PARMESAN AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the foam has subsided and the butter turns a deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Take care that it doesn't burn.) Stir in the nuts and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and whisk in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon nut mixture over warm asparagus and serve at once.

RADISH, AVOCADO AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing: In the bowl of a food processor or mini chopper, add the walnuts, shallots and garlic. Pulse until the walnuts are crumbly but the mixture is starting to get a little pasty. Add the oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper and puree until smooth. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• For the salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice and set aside. Cook the asparagus until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer immediately to the ice bath to chill for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Cut diagonally on a long, sharp bias into 2-inch pieces. Add to a serving bowl.
• Add the radishes to the asparagus. Squeeze the lemon juice over the vegetables and season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Gently toss. Spoon the dressing over the salad and toss again. Arrange the avocado over the salad, then garnish with the tarragon and serve immediately.

COLD ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Cook the tender tips of the asparagus in salt water until just tender.
• Drain.
• In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar; whisk until blended and stir in walnuts.
• Combine asparagus and dressing and toss gently.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Arrange on a platter and sprinkle with black pepper.
• Serve.

CREAMY FARFALLE WITH CREMINI, ASPARAGUS, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until tender and most of the juices have evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute until the asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the farfalle. Stir in the mascarpone and nutmeg and toss until the cheese coats the pasta, adding the reserved cooking liquid 1/4 cup at a time to moisten. Stir in 1/2 cup of walnuts. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts. Serve.

WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Peel asparagus and boil in water with 1 teaspoon each sugar and salt until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Roughly chop walnuts, carefully toast in a dry pan.
• Arrange drained asparagus on two platters, sprinkle with toasted walnuts and cranberries, drizzle with flax seed oil.
• Enjoy!

RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH BREADCRUMBS, WALNUTS, AND MINT

Steps:

• Put the breadcrumbs, Parmigiano, walnuts, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt, a bunch of twists of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon chile flakes. Toss to combine everything.
• Cut the asparagus on a sharp angle into very thin slices and add to the crumb mixture. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice and toss some more. Taste and dial in the flavors by adding more salt, black pepper, chile flakes, or lemon juice.
• When the flavors are bright and delicious, add the mint and 1/4 cup olive oil and toss. Taste and adjust again, and serve.

WOK-FRIED ASPARAGUS WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Snap off and discard bottoms of asparagus, then cut into 2-inch pieces. (Halve thicker pieces lengthwise first.)
• Set a wok over high heat and add vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add asparagus and season lightly with salt. Stir-fry for a minute or so, then add Sichuan pepper, five-spice powder, garlic, ginger, sugar, chiles, soy sauce and walnuts. Continue cooking over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing to coat well, until asparagus is cooked but still firm and bright green. (It will continue to cook a bit off the heat.)
• Transfer asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle green onions over the top and garnish with cilantro sprigs.

SKILLET ASPARAGUS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Melt 1/2 of the ghee in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion; spread out into a thin layer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat if it's browning too quickly; do not allow to burn. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in vinegar.
• Transfer onion-garlic mixture to a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Wipe out skillet and melt the remaining ghee over medium-low heat. Add walnut pieces and stir until crisp and lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add asparagus to the same skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, until bright green, tender, but still crunchy, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Plate asparagus, add onion mixture, and garnish with walnuts.

BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• To cook asparagus: Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Break off woody stems of asparagus.
• If stalks are thick, peel with a vegetable peeler, pulling from stem end toward tip.
• (Pencil-thin spears do no need peeling.) Place in a greased or sprayed 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
• Dot with margarine.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender but still crisp.
• (Asparagus may be baked 1 day ahead and reheated in microwave.) To make topping: In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• (Topping may be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Before serving: Spoon topping over asparagus and sprinkle with walnuts.