Asparagus And Goat Curd Salad Recipes

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.

PAN-FRIED & RAW ASPARAGUS WITH GOAT'S CURD & BEETROOT

Steps:

• First, make the dressing. In a small bowl or jug, whisk the oil, orange zest and juice lightly, then add the pine nuts and set aside.
• Hold the asparagus at the base and just below the tip, then snap in two - you will feel a natural breaking point where the asparagus becomes a little woody. Save the woody bases for soups or stocks.
• Shred four spears of asparagus using a mandolin (or slice lengthways with a vegetable peeler). Repeat the process with the cooked beetroot. Put the shaved asparagus in a bowl of cold water and set side.
• Heat a frying pan or skillet over a high heat until hot. Coat the remaining six whole pieces of asparagus with the oil and place in the hot pan, moving them around in the pan, and season with a few pinches of sea salt. Allow the asparagus to brown, then remove, draining off any excess oil.
• Put the roasted asparagus on the plate, then add dollops of the curd. Drain the raw asparagus, then layer it over the curd with the slices of cooked beetroot. Stir the dressing and drizzle over the dish. Add some baby salad leaves to decorate, if you like.

RED QUINOA SALAD WITH WALNUTS, ASPARAGUS AND DUKKAH

Steps:

• Steam asparagus for 3 to 4 minutes (4 if thick, 3 if thin) above 1 inch of boiling water. Remove from heat, rinse with cold water, drain and dry on dish towels, and set aside.
• Combine quinoa, chives, parsley and walnuts in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, and oils. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add to quinoa mixture along with freshly ground pepper to taste, and toss together.
• Spoon quinoa onto plates or into bowls. Top each serving with 1/2 teaspoon dukkah. Garnish with asparagus spears and serve.

ASPARAGUS-AND-GOAT-CURD SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add enough salt to make the water salty. Add the asparagus and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and run under cold water. Lay the asparagus out to cool completely and dry. Slice into 1-to-1 1/2-inch lengths. Combine the asparagus and arugula in a bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the blood-orange juice, vinegar and mustard and a little salt and pepper. Add the oil in gradual amounts, first in drops, then in a thin stream, until the vinaigrette is thick and emulsified. Season to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the arugula and asparagus. Toss to coat. Add the goat curd, broken into lumps. Toss gently to mix. Taste and adjust seasoning.