Asparagus White Bean Gratin Recipe 455

ASPARAGUS-WHITE BEAN GRATIN RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a broiler-proof very large skillet stir together the half-and-half, garlic, lemon peel, and salt. Stir in cannellini beans and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Meanwhile, wrap asparagus spears in bundles of 5 or 6 with prosciutto slices and place bundles on top of bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Broil 4 to 6 inches from the heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned and asparagus is tender.

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.

PASTA AND WHITE BEANS GRATIN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until done. Drain, and set aside. Meanwhile mince basil and garlic with Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a medium bowl, and mix with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Mix in ricotta.
• In a saucepan, cook onions with thyme and bay leaf in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir in beans and balsamic vinegar, and simmer for 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine beans, tomatoes, and pasta in a well oiled 2 quart casserole dish. Place spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture in the pasta and beans, and press down to cover. In a small bowl, moisten bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle over casserole.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

HERB ROASTED ASPARAGUS AND BEAN GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil and next 5 ingredients.
• Spread beans and asparagus evenly on prepared pan.
• Toss with oil mixture.
• Roast for 15 minutes, turning vegetables halfway through.
• Meanwhile, combine breadcrumbs, cheeses and remaining olive oil.
• Remove vegetables from oven and set broiler to high.
• Place vegetables in ovenproof gratin dish and sprinkle with cheese mixture.
• Broil until cheese melts and bubbles, about 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.

TUNA, ASPARAGUS & WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling water for 4-5 mins until tender. Drain well, cool under running water, then cut into finger-length pieces. Toss together the tuna, beans, onion, capers and asparagus in a large serving bowl.
• Mix the oil, vinegar and tarragon together, then pour over the salad. Chill until ready to serve.

WHITE BEAN GRATIN WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND CRISPY BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200C, fan 180°C In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Fry the onions and garlic with some salt and a grind of black pepper for 10 minutes or until soft. Add the tomatoes, drained beans, vinegar, basil and stock, and pour into a baking dish. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with remaining olive oil, Parmesan and some seasoning. Spread the mixture over the beans and bake for 30 minutes, until bubbling and crisp.