Poached Rhubarb And Asparagus Salad Recipes

BUTTER-POACHED ASPARAGUS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 bunch trimmed asparagus and 1/4 cup water. Cook, turning the asparagus, until crisp-tender and glazed, 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme.

POACHED RHUBARB

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/4 cups water and the sugar in medium saucepan. Add vanilla seeds and pod. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stir until sugar dissolves and add rhubarb.
• Reduce heat to low and gently simmer rhubarb for 5 minutes, or until it can be easily pierced with the tip of a knife but remains intact. Do not overcook, or else rhubarb will fall apart.
• Strain rhubarb over a bowl. Store syrup and poached rhubarb separately.

POACHED RHUBARB AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan of heavily salted water over high heat. In another large saucepan, combine sugar with 3/4 cup water. Place over medium-low heat, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add wine, rhubarb juice or grenadine, and peppercorns.
• Bring to a simmer, and add rhubarb. Simmer until rhubarb is cooked through but not soft, about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse to remove peppercorns, and drain again.
• Fill a bowl with ice water. Place asparagus in boiling salted water, and blanch until bright green and barely tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately transfer asparagus to ice water. When asparagus is chilled, drain well, and refrigerate.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and mustard. Whisk in olive oil to make a smooth vinaigrette.
• Place salad greens and herb mixture in a large serving bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice rhubarb vertically into long, thin strips, and set aside. Slice each asparagus stalk into 3-inch pieces, and set aside. To serve, arrange alternating pieces of asparagus and rhubarb to make a rectangle on each of four plates. Place mound of greens near rectangle, and drizzle a small amount of vinaigrette over asparagus and rhubarb.

POACHED RHUBARB

Steps:

• Stir together sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Add vanilla bean and seeds, lemon zest and juice, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add rhubarb. Reduce heat; partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is just tender and beginning to break down, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer rhubarb to a bowl. Let rhubarb and poaching liquid cool completely. Remove vanilla bean from poaching liquid and discard.

ASPARAGUS, HAM, AND POACHED EGG SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• Fill the pasta pot with 3 quarts of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the coarse salt and the asparagus. Blanch, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. (Cooking time will vary according to the size and tenderness of the asparagus.) Immediately remove the colander from the water, letting the water drain from the asparagus. Plunge the asparagus into the ice water so they cool down as quickly as possible and retain their crispness and bright green color. (The asparagus will cool in 1 to 2 minutes. After that, they will soften and begin to lose crispness and flavor.) Drain the asparagus and wrap it in a thick kitchen towel to dry. (Do not cook the asparagus in advance or it will lose its crispness.)
• Break each egg into a ramekin or small cup. Set aside. In a large, shallow saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. Add the vinegar. One by one, bring the edge of a ramekin or cup level with the surface of the water and slide the egg in gently. Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Poach the eggs until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny and are covered with a thin, translucent layer of white, about 3 minutes.
• With the sieve or slotted spoon, carefully lift the eggs from the water and transfer them to several thicknesses of paper towels.
• Place the salad greens and chives in a large salad bowl. Toss with just enough dressing to coat the greens lightly and evenly.
• Place the asparagus on a large plate and add just enough dressing to lightly coat the spears. Roll the asparagus in the dressing.
• Arrange the dressed greens at one side of each of 4 large dinner plates. (Rectangular plates are particularly beautiful here.) Carefully place a poached egg alongside. Arrange 4 asparagus spears next to the eggs. Carefully drape a slice of ham over each of the poached eggs. Season the greens lightly with fine sea salt and generously with pepper. Sprinkle with chives. Serve with the toast.

NICOLE'S POACHED RHUBARB WITH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Place rhubarb in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, vanilla bean, orange zest, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, and immediately pour over rhubarb. Set aside until rhubarb is soft and tender, about 1 hour. Drain rhubarb. Chill, reserving syrup for another use. Stir strawberries into rhubarb mixture.

RHUBARB WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a large straight-sided frying pan, heat the vegetable and sesame oils over high heat until shimmering. Stir in the asparagus and oyster mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. The bottom of the pan will begin to brown.
• Stir in the rhubarb. It will create enough moisture for the food not to stick or burn. Cook, stirring, for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, sugar and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.