Showing posts with label #aspargus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #aspargus. Show all posts

Monday, May 22, 2017

Grilled Asparagus Tart and a Giveaway. Welcome to #BBQWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BBQWeek and Michigan Asparagus. All opinions are my own. I received product to make this recipe.

Good Monday morning to all of you and welcome to the first day of our BBQ Week celebration. This party is being hosted by my friend Ellen of Family Around the Table. Ellen says:
"Welcome to #BBQWeek. Let’s fire up the grill, serve up some burgers or steaks or chicken and some delicious sides and desserts! Follow #BBQWeek so you don’t miss one delicious recipe.There are more than 20 recipes this week from some amazing bloggers."

A group of us is gathering today, Wednesday and Friday to share some amazing BBQ recipes with you. I am interested to see what we all share. You see, here in the North/MidWest region of the Country BBQ and Grilling are one and the same. This is not true of our friends down south. BBQ is whole cooking style unto it's own. We understand this now, thanks to so many wonderful Southern BBQ restaurants available country wide but, at least I, still think of anything grilled when told that we are having a BBQ event.

So while I won't be sharing any "traditional" BBQ this month, I will be sharing 3 great recipes that are perfect for throwing on the grill (or "BBQ" as we call it) this summer.




I am starting with a great Grilled Asparagus Tart using seasonal and local produce from our wonderful and generous sponsor at Michigan Asparagus. Michigan Asparagus is offering our readers a great opportunity to win a gift card and two grilling trays. You can enter at the bottom of this post. Good Luck!!




My local grocer, Kroger, has taken to sending out seasonal recipes along with their coupons. Last month I used one of them in my first attempt at making Macarons and they turned out perfectly, so I was looking forward to this month's edition. I was delighted when the very first recipe featured asparagus and immediately adapted it to fit today's theme of BBQ.




I used fresh, local asparagus instead of frozen and grilled it instead of blanching it. Using a disposable grill pan makes life very easy when grilling veggies. Toss the asparagus in some olive oil with salt and pepper, place it on the grill pan and place the grill pan on the grill....easy peasy. I stuck pretty closely to the rest of the recipe and was very glad I did because it turned out beautifully. The filling was creamy and delicious, the grilled asparagus was perfectly toothsome and savory and the crust was flaky and light. This was a perfect appetizer but would also make a lovely lunch or brunch dish with a croissant and some fresh fruit.




Make sure you stop by and see what all the others are grilling up for today's kickoff. You will find the links following my recipe.

Grilled Asparagus Tart
adapted from Kroger

1 bunch fresh local Asparagus
olive oil
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 c. shredded gruyere cheese
1 c. ricotta cheese
2 egg yolks
1/2 t. kosher salt for filling
salt and pepper to taste

Snap woody ends from asparagus stalks, discarding the woody ends and placing the tender stalks in a bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Toss to coat and transfer to a grill pan.  Grill over med high flame until slightly charred and tender crisp.  Remove from grill and set aside to cool.

Roll pastry, on a  lightly floured surface, into a 10x13" rectangle.  Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Using the tip of a sharp paring knife make a shallow cut along each side form a 1" border, being careful not to cut all the way through.  Using a fork, pierce holes inside the inner rectangle, covering the entire area. Place in refrigerator while preparing the filling.

Whisk together the ricotta, gruyere, egg yolks, salt and a couple of grinds of cracked pepper to taste. Spread over the inner rectangle of the chilled pastry crust.  Arrange the grilled asparagus over the filling and return to the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 400*.

Bake in a preheated 400* oven for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350* and bake for another 15 minutes until pastry is golden and filling is set.  Let cool for a few minutes before cutting.  Can be served warm or at room temperature.  Refrigerate leftovers.  Print Recipe

More Amazing #BBQWeek Recipes




    Asparagus_PanPrize.png

    Thank you to Michigan Asparagus for sponsoring #BBQWeek and offering this amazing prize package.


    a Rafflecopter giveaway


    Fresh asparagus is the taste of spring and Michigan is one of the largest domestic asparagus growers in the United States. Michigan Asparagus is available mid-May through June and is the only hand snapped harvested asparagus which means more usable asparagus and less waste. Local Michigan farmers produce approximately 25 million pounds of Michigan Asparagus during the state's 6-7 week harvest. Michigan Asparagus has excellent flavor and a long shelf life. It is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie vegetable with no fat, no cholesterol, and very little sodium.






Sunday, March 19, 2017

Shaved Asparagus Salad for #SundaySupper

Our host for this edition of Sunday Supper is Anne of Simple and Savory.  Anne chose a theme of Easy Spring recipes.  Perfect, if you ask me.  I get so excited when Spring begins to spring.  I love all the fresh, bright flavors that we have been denied all winter while trying to eat locally and seasonally.

Asparagus is one of my all time favorite veggies.  We eat it at least once or twice a week while it is in season.  Frank is not as huge a fan as I.  He will eat a few stalks but the rest? Mine, all mine....I live in Asparagus heaven during the Spring.


I got the idea for this recipe from the cookbook by Kurt Beecher Dammier called Pure Food.  I adapted pretty much the entire recipe but wanted to acknowledge him as I wouldn't have thought to make this salad without drooling over the photo of his while thumbing through the cookbook.


I used a base of baby spinach to showcase the shaved asparagus.  Leaving the asparagus raw lends a touch of sweetness to the salad that is a pleasant surprise.  The carrot lends a touch of color and Macadamia nuts add richness and crunch.


This salad is perfect for your Easter Brunch or Dinner.

Shaved Asparagus Salad
inspired by Pure Food

2 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 T. Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic Vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 lbs. asparagus
2 c. baby spinach leaves
2 green onions, white and light greens
1 small carrot, peeled
1 oz. Macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

Place the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small jar with a lid.  Shake vigorously to combine. 

Snap off the tough end of the asparagus and discard.  Hold the asparagus by the tips and, using a peeler, shave into long strips.  Reserve the tips.

Slice the green onions in half lengthwise and roughly chop.  Using the peeler shave the carrot into strips.

Place the spinach, asparagus, carrot, green onions and nuts into a large bowl.  Pour the dressing over the greens and toss to coat.  Arrange on a platter and serve.  Print Recipe

More Healthy Spring Recipes


Breakfast

Cakes, Pies, and Sweets

Cookies and Bars

Main Courses

Pastas

Seafood

Veggies and Sides


Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.