Irish Asparagus Leeks With Mint Recipes

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CRISPY LEEKS AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Put asparagus on a rimmed sheet pan and toss with 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well coated.
• In a small bowl, stir together leeks, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sprinkle leeks on top of asparagus, then sprinkle with capers. Roast until asparagus are tender and golden brown, about 12 to 18 minutes.
• While the asparagus stalks roast, make the mustard sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, capers and garlic. Slowly whisk in olive oil a few drops at a time to create a thick, emulsified dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Once asparagus stalks are out of the oven, squeeze a lemon wedge over it and sprinkle parsley on top. Serve with mustard sauce and more lemon wedges on the side.

OVEN-ROASTED ASPARAGUS AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Trim each leek at root end, then cut off top where the thick green leaves begin.
• Cut in half lengthwise and soak in cold water 10 minutes.
• Rinse, then pat dry.
• Trim tough ends of asparagus.
• Combine leeks and asparagus in a large bowl.
• Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.
• Toss to coat.
• Place in a large roasting pan and roast until vegetables start to turn brown, about 25 minutes.
• Let cool 5 minutes, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON AND MINT

Steps:

• In large pot of boiling salted water, cook asparagus 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain in colander; dry on paper towel.
• In serving bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add hot aspargus. Toss mixture to bring to room temperature.
• Just before serving, stir in mint and lemon juice.
• Serve at room temperature.

IRISH ASPARAGUS, LEEKS WITH MINT

Steps:

• In a pot of boiling salted water cook asparagus, mint, and sugar in boiling salted water to cover 5 to 7 minutes, until asparagus and leeks are tender; drain.
• Stir in butter, mint, salt, and pepper.

ASPARAGUS AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Trim asparagus; cut stalks into pieces and set tips aside.
• In large non-stick saucepan, heat oil; saute garlic, onion, leeks and asparagus stalks just until softened, approximately 10 minutes.
• Add stock and potato; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Puree in food processor until smooth.
• Taste and adjustseasoning with salt and pepper.
• Return to saucepan.
• Steam or microwave reserved asparagus tips just until tender; add to soup.
• Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

ASPARAGUS, LEMON, AND MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Cut tips from 6 asparagus spears, about 1 1/2 inches from the top; reserve for garnish later. Chop the remaining asparagus into chunks.
• Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat; cook and stir shallot in the hot oil until softened, about 3 minutes. Add chopped asparagus; season with mint, salt, and pepper. Cook until asparagus are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.
• Pour chicken stock into asparagus mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until asparagus are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in lemon zest.
• Blend soup using a hand blender or a food processor until smooth.
• Bring a small pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook asparagus tips in the boiling water until just turning bright green, about 2 minutes. Strain asparagus tips and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Garnish soup with asparagus tips and hard-boiled egg.

MIDNIGHT MINT

Steps:

• Rim a cocktail (martini) glass with sugar syrup then dip into chocolate flakes or powder.
• Add ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well then strain into the cocktail glass.

ASPARAGUS-LEEK RISOTTO

Steps:

• Roast asparagus: place asparagus in a single layer on a baking s heet. Brush evenly with 1 T. olive oil; lightly sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake, uncovered, in 450-degree oven about 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Cool slightly. Cut two-thirds into 2-inch pieces; set aside all asparagus.
• While the asparagus is roasting, cook leeks in a large saucepan in 1 T. olive oil until tender. Stir in uncooked rice. Cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes or until rice begins to turn golden brown.
• In another saucepan bring broth to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer. Carefully stir 1 cup of hot broth into rice mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until liquid is absorbed. Then add 1/2 cup broth at a time, stirring frequently until broth is absorbed before adding more broth (about 22 minutes in total).
• Stir in any remaining broth. Cook and stir just until rice is tender and creamy.
• Stir in asparagus pieces, cheese, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pepper. Top with asparagus spears and lemon slices.

IRISH CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the tips from half the asparagus and set aside for garnish. (I use it all).
• Peel the lower woody parts of the stalks and chop into small pieces, or break the frozen ones.
• Peel and cube potatoes.
• Wash and finely chop leeks.
• Blanch reserved tips in boiling salted water for 5 minutes if used, then cool and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan and cook the leeks gently for a few minutes, then add potatoes and chopped asparagus.
• Add stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Puree the soup in blender, food processor, or use hand blender.
• Place pureed soup back in saucepan.
• Add the creme fraiche and another tablespoon of butter and stir.
• Garnish with tips.

ASPARAGUS VICHYSSOISE WITH MINT

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leek and potato; sauté 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add asparagus. Simmer uncovered until asparagus is just tender, 5 to 6 minutes (depending on thickness of stalks). Remove pan from heat. Transfer 8 asparagus tips to small bowl for garnish.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide soup among 4 shallow bowls. Freeze 15 to 20 minutes to chill quickly.
• Meanwhile, whisk cream, mint, and large pinch of salt in small bowl until cream is slightly thickened.
• Drizzle mint cream over soup, then garnish with asparagus tips.