California Asparagus with Blue Cheese & Pine Nuts |
(Image courtesy of California Asparagus Commission)
Lightly steamed or boiled, fresh asparagus is always a tasty, nutritious side dish. For many foodies the distinctive sweet taste of fresh asparagus heralds springtime as much as budding trees and flowers. Spring is the season for California’s fresh asparagus so now’s the time to get it at its most flavorful.
Since there’s no better time to enjoy fresh asparagus we wanted to provide an additional recipe for it as soon as we could. Lucky for us, the folks at the California Asparagus Commission were at the ready to give us the terrific recipe below. Once we saw it included blue cheese, shallots, and pine nuts we knew we had to give it a try.
Our adaptation of the recipe calls for some favorite ingredients we believe to be almost essential to fine living; great olive oil, artisanal vinegar, and finely crafted cheese. Enjoy!
Ingredients for 6 Servings
• 1 ½ Pound California Asparagus, trimmed
• 1 ½ Tablespoon O Cabernet Vinegar
• 1 ½ Teaspoon finely chopped shallot
• 2 Tablespoons L'Autunno Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 Ounces Buttermilk Blue Cheese, chilled
• 3 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• 1/8 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Salt as needed
Preparation
1. To make vinaigrette, mix vinegar, shallot, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil; reserve.
2. Blanch asparagus in a frying pan large enough to hold asparagus spears in one layer. Bring approximately 3 inches of water to a boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Add asparagus. Cook at a medium boil until fork tender, about 3 minutes, depending on thickness. Drain on paper towel; cool.
3. Recipe can be made ahead to this point. Refrigerate vinaigrette and cooled asparagus, tightly sealed, if serving more than 2 hours later. Return to room temperature before continuing.
4. To assemble, arrange asparagus on a platter; drizzle with vinaigrette. Roll spears to coat with vinaigrette. Shred cheese onto a piece of wax paper, using the small holes of shredder. Evenly sprinkle cheese over asparagus; scatter pine nuts over cheese.
Copyright Courtesy of California Aaparagus Commission
If you'd like to order the artisanal vinegar called for in this recipe go to: O Cabernet Vinegar
To order a world class, hand-crafted olive oil from beautiful Mendocino, California go to: L'Autunno Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you’d like to try this recipe using an outstanding, crafted blue cheese go to: Buttermilk Blue Cheese
To learn more about California asparagus, its healthful benefits, and easy preparation go to: California Asparagus Commission
