Polenta With Asparagus Peas And Mint Recipes

POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• If cooking polenta on stovetop: In a medium pot over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how finely the polenta is ground (coarse-ground polenta takes longer).
• Alternatively, cook polenta in oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over high heat, bring 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a stir. If it looks dry, add another 1/2 cup water. Cover the pot once more, and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• When polenta is thick and creamy, stir in 2 to 4 of the tablespoons butter (depending on how buttery you like it) and the Parmesan. Taste and add more Parmesan and salt, if needed.
• As the polenta cooks, prepare the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or two, until fragrant and very lightly golden in spots. Add vermouth and cook until alcohol evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus and peas, and cook until vegetables are glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 8 minutes. (Thicker asparagus will take longer to soften.) Stir in the mint. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon polenta into bowls, top with vegetables and their sauce, and grind on lots of fresh pepper. Finish with shaved Parmesan.

ASPARAGUS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Make the butter: Melt butter with mint, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat until just bubbling around edges.
• Make the asparagus: Cook asparagus in a pot of salted boiling water until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
• Drizzle a few tablespoons mint butter over asparagus, and toss gently to coat. Garnish with mint leaves.

CRUNCHY SPRING ICEBERG SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the salad: Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the frozen peas and asparagus, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the asparagus and peas are bright green and crisp tender. Drain and run under cold water until they are cold. Leave to drain.
• Prepare the lettuce: Run a sharp paring knife around the core and gently pull it out. Remove the outer layer of the lettuce and discard. Tear the lettuce into large chunks. Wash the leaves and allow them to dry in a colander. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
• Prepare the spicy cilantro yogurt: To a blender or small food processor, add the yogurt, cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and 1 jalapeño. Blitz until smooth. (Add a teaspoon of water at a time to get the mixture moving in the blender if necessary.) Taste and add the second jalapeño if you would like it spicier.
• Serve as one large salad or divide among four individual serving plates: Add the lettuce chunks to the plate, and scatter the asparagus and peas on top and around the lettuce. Spoon the spicy cilantro yogurt all over the vegetables, dot with feta and squeeze the juice from the lemon half over everything. Season with salt and black pepper, and top with a few cilantro leaves.

COUSCOUS PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Combine couscous, green onion, jalapeno, olive oil, cumin, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a large bowl; stir until olive oil is completely incorporated.
• Bring vegetable stock, asparagus, and peas to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.
• Pour stock, asparagus, and peas over couscous mixture; shake bowl to settle couscous into liquid. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in mint and season with salt and pepper to taste.

RICOTTA DUMPLINGS WITH BUTTERED PEAS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Combine ricotta and eggs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and, using a large wooden or metal spoon, gently mix in the flour, taking care not to overmix (which could result in tough dumplings).
• Meanwhile, heat butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks have softened completely and are starting to pick up some color, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add asparagus and peas to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until asparagus is just tender and bright green, 2 to 4 minutes, depending on its thickness. Remove from heat while you cook the dumplings.
• When the water is at a nice steady boil, drop the ricotta mixture into the pot by the heaping spoonful. (The dumplings will expand in the water, so make them slightly smaller than you'd like them to end up.) Be careful not to crowd the pot; cook the dumplings in batches if need be.
• Once the dumplings rise to the top, let them boil until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. (You can always pull one out and cut it in half to test its doneness; the texture will go from dense and doughy to light and pillowy.)
• As the dumplings finish cooking, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the skillet with the peas and asparagus. Once they're all in there, give everything a quick toss over medium heat just to evenly coat the dumplings in the buttery sauce. Add pea shoots and toss just to wilt slightly.
• Transfer to a large serving bowl or platter and top with parsley, cheese and more olive oil, if you like.