Asparagus In Blankets Recipes

PHYLLO WRAPPED CHEESY ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Thin cream cheese with the milk.
• Carefully unroll phyllo dough and cut 3 strips width-wise. Cover with a damp towel to keep moist while you are working. Layer 3-4 strips of phyllo on your work surface, brushing melted butter and sprinkling some bread crumbs between each layer, as well as on the top. On the top strip additionally, spread some of the cream cheese mixture and sprinkle some of the parmigiano cheese. Take 3 asparagus spears, lay on top of the phyllo strips and wrap around middle/bottom part of asparagus. It should look very pretty with some of the green sticking out on both ends. Brush additional butter on top and sprinkle more parmigiano cheese and bread crumbs.
• Repeat this process until you are out of asparagus.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden brown. Serve warm.

GRATIN OF WHITE ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F (convection oven to 425°F). Brush a copper or ceramic gratin dish with a little of the melted butter.
• Trim the asparagus: you will find that white asparagus needs to be trimmed much higher-roughly halfway up the stalks, as a rule of thumb. Slice the spears in half lengthwise and lay them in the buttered gratin dish. Sprinkle with most of the lemon thyme leaves, saving a few for garnish.
• Now put the crème fraîche and mustard into a heavy pan and place over medium heat. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat slightly and let bubble to reduce by about a quarter. Season the reduced mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, put the bread crumbs in a bowl, add the Parmesan, parsley, and some pepper, and toss with your fingers to combine.
• Pour the mustardy crème fraîche over the asparagus, then scatter the crumb mixture on top, distributing it evenly. Drizzle over the rest of the melted butter. Bake the gratin on the middle shelf of the oven until the top is crisp and golden and the cream bubbles up around the sides of the dish, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves and serve.

RITZ-CRACKER ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Drop fresh asparagus into boiling water.
• As soon as they turn"bright" green, remove and plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
• Drain.
• Mix soup and milk together.
• Place asparagus in 9x13x2-inch casserole.
• Top with sliced eggs.
• Sprinkle with crackers; sprinkle with cheese.
• Pour soup mixture over casserole.
• Bake at 350 degrees until hot, just bubbling and cheese is melted.
• NOTE: For a spicier version my family really, really likes, I use Cheez-its (Hot and Spicy) crackers instead of the butter-flavored crackers mentioned above. I usually add a few more crackers than the original recipe calls for.