Steamed Asparagus With Creme Fraiche Parsley And Tarragon Sauc Recipes

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour about 1-inch of water into a large saucepan, and set up a collapsible steamer inside. Bring the water to boil, lay the asparagus in the steamer, cover, and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a heated serving dish, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with lemon and serve immediately.
• Cook's Note: You may finish the asparagus with the grated zest of a small lemon, a tablespoon of unsalted butter, and a teaspoon of minced flat-leaf parsley leaves, instead of the oil.
• Copyright 2004 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

ASPARAGUS WITH CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. meanwhile, in a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, garlic powder, lemon-pepper and salt until blended. Gradually stir in broth. Add the parsley, vinegar and dill., Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low; whisk in sour cream. Drain asparagus; arrange on a serving platter. Top with cream sauce.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Hold both ends of a stalk of asparagus and bend it until it snaps. Then use a knife to trim the remainder of the bunch to match. Discard the trimmed stems.
• Pour about an inch of water into a skillet or wok and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Put the asparagus in a steamer basket and season with salt. Set the steamer basket over the boiling water and cook until tender, 4 to 6 minutes depending on the thickness. Transfer the asparagus to a plate and serve.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Pour or spritz the water onto 4 paper towels. Spread out the paper towels and lay the asparagus on top of the dampened towels. Sprinkle with the salt. Roll up the asparagus in the dampened towels. Lay the bundle, seam side down, in the microwave. Microwave on high until the asparagus is just crisp tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the microwave using tongs and carefully unwrap. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS WITH CREAMY TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with foil.
• Add the asparagus in a single row to the prepared sheet tray. Drizzle with the olive oil, toss, and then season with some salt and pepper. Roast until tender, 15 minutes.
• Serve on a bed of spring mix and drizzle with the Creamy Herb Vinaigrette.
• Add the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, tarragon and shallots to a bowl and whisk until smooth and emulsified.

SIMPLY STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 inch water. Bring to a boil. Add 1 pound trimmed asparagus, cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 6 minutes.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• To make mayonnaise, in blender or food processor, place tofu, lemon juice, mustard, salt, shallot and garlic. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. With blender on, add oil by drops. Place in glass or plastic container; stir in tarragon. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.
• Place steamer basket in 1/2 inch water in saucepan or skillet (water should not touch bottom of basket). Place asparagus in basket. Cover tightly and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Steam 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Serve with mayonnaise.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Peel the bottoms of 2 bunches thick asparagus. Snap off the ends; discard. Cook in a steamer basket set in a pot of simmering water, covered, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1/2 minced shallot and cook until soft. Remove from the heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons diced cold butter; add 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Pour over the asparagus. Season with pepper.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH GINGER GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• In a steamer set over boiling water, steam asparagus, covered, until just crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
• In a 1-cup measure, stir together cornstarch and water until dissolved and stir in soy sauce, Sherry or Scotch, sugar, salt and sesame oil.
• Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot and add vegetable oil. Heat vegetable oil until hot but not smoking and stir-fry ginger root and garlic 30 seconds. Add asparagus and stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to asparagus. Bring liquid to a boil, stirring, and stir-fry mixture until asparagus is well coated. Sprinkle asparagus with sesame seeds and toss.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS TARRAGON SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Remove the root and tough outer leaves from the leek; halve lengthwise. Soak in vinegar and water to cover for 30 minutes. Rinse. Cut into 1/4-inch dice.
• 2. Heat the oil and butter in a pot. Add the leek, onion and parsnip; cook over low heat to soften, 15 minutes.
• 3. Add the broth and tarragon; bring to a boil. Add the asparagus; cover, then simmer for 30 minutes or until very tender. Uncover and cool.
• 4. Puree the soup. (If it seems stringy, pour through a strainer.) Add the cream. The soup may be served chilled or reheated over low heat; do not boil. Serve 1 1/2 cups of soup per bowl, placing 3 melon balls in the center of each serving, surrounded by 4 mint leaves. Add a dollop of sour cream on one side of each bowl.

ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Put morels, porcinis or both in a bowl with very hot water to cover; soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain morels and reserve soaking liquid. Cut morels in half; if porcinis are large, chop them roughly.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; when butter is hot and foam has subsided, add shallots and reconstituted and fresh mushrooms to pan. Cook until shallots soften and fresh mushrooms have released their liquid and it has cooked off, about 10 minutes.
• Add asparagus and 1/2 cup reserved liquid to pan. Bring liquid to a boil, cover, reduce heat so mixture simmers, and continue cooking for another 2 to 4 minutes, or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add cream and tarragon or chervil and continue cooking, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly and asparagus is tender, about 4 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash the asparagus carefully and gently scrape them to remove all trace of soil. Tie together, according to size, with string. Put the asparagus into two inches of boiling, salted water. Cook, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, according to size; the asparagus should remain al dente. Drain and put into cold water briefly to cool rapidly and to maintain color. Drain on paper towels, then place on a round platter, tips toward the center.
• Prepare a sauce with the remaining ingredients. Place all the herbs except for the additional watercress in a blender, add the salt and pepper, and blend for a second. Add the lemon juice and then the oil in a trickle to the blender on low speed. Pour the sauce over the cooled asparagus. Garnish with the reserved watercress. Serve at room temperature.