Asparagus Bread Recipe 265

ASPARAGUS BRUNCH BREAD

Steps:

• Holding each asparagus spear at base and halfway up stalk, bend just until stalk snaps at natural breaking point. Pour water into large skillet to depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm); bring to boil. Arrange spears in 2 layers in water. Cover and cook for 2 minutes or until bright green and still crisp. Drain; chill under cold water. Drain; set aside on towels.
• Cut ham Into 1/4-inch (5 mm) wide strips; cut into about 1 -inch (2.5 cm) lengths to make strips. Thin end from green onion; halve stalk lengthwise and slice thinly crosswise. Set aside.
• In large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and butter; pour over flour mixture. Sprinkle with green onion and 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the cheese; stir with wooden spoon just until smooth.
• Spoon half of the batter into greased 9-inch (2.5 L) square cake pan, spreading over bottom. Arrange half of the asparagus in single layer over top. Sprinkle with ham.
• Spoon in remaining batter, spreading evenly. Arrange remaining asparagus over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown and cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
• Invert wire rack over pan. Holding both tightly together, invert pan to turn bread out onto rack. Remove pan. Invert serving platter onto bread. Holding rack and platter together, quickly invert. Remove rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Bread can be cooled, covered with plastic wrap and set aside for up to 4 hours.).

ASPARAGUS WITH BREADCRUMBS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, process bread until coarse crumbs form. Transfer breadcrumbs to a small bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Add Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and stir with a fork to combine.
• Arrange asparagus in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown and asparagus is tender, 20 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over asparagus just before serving.

SAVORY ASPARAGUS BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan or casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes and put all of the cubes in a large bowl.
• In medium bowl, whish together the milk, broth, eggs, salt, pepper, and dill until combined. Pour the mixture over the bread.
• Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus and cut the spears into 1-inch pieces. Add them to the bread along with the mushrooms and shallots.
• Fold everything together well to combine the ingredients. Spoon them into the prepared pan and pat down the top to compact the ingredients. Sprinkle the cheese evenly ever the top.
• Bake the pudding for 45 minutes, or until the top is browned and crisp and there is no liquid in the center. Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into portions.

DELICIOUS ASPARAGUS ROLL UPS

Steps:

• Set oven to 400°F.
• Grease a baking sheet.
• Flatten bread with a rolling pin.
• In a bowl combine the cream cheese with blue cheese, garlic and green onions.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on each slice of bread.
• Top with asparagus spear then roll up tightly.
• Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet.
• Brush with butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Cut roll-ups in half.
• Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Delicious!

ASPARAGUS ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Set aside., Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Combine the cream cheese, bacon and chives; spread 1 tablespoonful on each slice of bread. Top with an asparagus spear. Roll up tightly; place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Cut roll-ups in half. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CRUNCHY PARMESAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees; while it heats, put bread in, and check frequently until it is lightly toasted and dry. Coarsely grind or grate bread and cheese together (a small food processor is best), and keep crumbs larger than commercial bread crumbs.
• Rinse asparagus, and break off woody bottoms. Lay stalks in a baking dish that will hold them in two or three layers. Toss with bits of butter or the oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in oven.
• Roast 5 minutes, then shake dish to redistribute butter or oil. Roast 5 minutes more, then test for doneness by piercing a spear with point of a sharp knife; it should slide in but meet a little resistance. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made as much as two hours before serving; just leave asparagus at room temperature).
• Turn on broiler and place rack as close as possible to heating element. Top asparagus with cheese-crumb mixture and run under broiler to brown, a minute or two. Serve hot or at room temperature.