Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1/2 pound fresh asparagus
4 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 garlic clove, halved
8 slices baguette

For dressing:
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chicken stock
2 tablespoons canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Clean and cut the tender part of asparagus into 2-inch pieces.
Boil for 5 minutes. Refresh under cold water.
Clean and spin dry spinach. Cut into bite size pieces.
Rub both sides of bread with garlic. Toast bread until golden. Cut into small squares.
Dressing:
In a medium bowl whisk the dressing ingredients together. Combine spinach and asparagus.
Toss with dressing. Sprinkle toasted bread over salad.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter, soft
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups 1-inch pieces asparagus tips and tender stems
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
5 eggs
1 cup grated imported Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Brush the interior of 2 4-cup soufflé molds with the softened butter. Dust the bottom and sides with flour. Set aside.
Bring a kettle of salted boiling water to a boil, drop in the pieces of asparagus, and cook until tender. Drain and cool under cold running water. Purée in a blender. Save in a bowl, cover and set aside.
In a heavy saucepan melt the butter. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook over low heat for 3 minutes. Add the milk. Cook over medium-high heat while whisking until sauce becomes thick and bubbly.
Transfer the sauce to a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and nutmeg.
Separate the eggs. Mix egg yolks and cheese in the thick cream sauce. Stir in the asparagus purée. (can be prepared 2 hours in advance up to this point.)
In an electric mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with cream of tartar until the whites are firm fluffy. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the cheese mixture.
Pour soufflé mixture into mold.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. after 10 minutes Soufflé should rise two inches or more above mold. Serve when ready.
I serve cheese soufflé with tomato basil sauce or melted brie.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry sheet, thawed
1/2 pound Swiss cheese
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
12 asparagus spears, cooked crisp
1 egg, beaten

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll puff pastry sheet on a floured work surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut into 4-inch squares.
Cut cheese into fingers about the size of asparagus spears.
Spread each pastry dough evenly with mustard.
Lay an asparagus spear and a strip of cheese on each pastry square. Roll them up, seal and place seam side down on a buttered baking sheet. Brush rolls with beaten egg.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until pastry is brown and cheese is melted

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 pounds fresh asparagus (green or white)
1 1/2 cups Hollandaise sauce
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup baked ham, cut into small strips
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• preparation

Peel and trim the asparagus.
Boil 4 quarts of water in a pot. Cook asparagus in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until just tender. Gently remove asparagus from boiling water and refresh in cold water for a minute.
Drain on paper towels, and arrange on a serving platter.
Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks and fold it into the hollandaise. Fold the ham into the sauce with chopped parsley.
Serve the sauce with the warm asparagus.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 pounds fresh green asparagus
2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup herb-vinaigrette dressing

• preparation

Peel and trim the asparagus.
Boil 4 quarts of water in a pot. Cook asparagus in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until just tender.
Gently remove asparagus from boiling water and cool in ice cold water. Drain on paper towels, and set aside.
Separate egg yolks and whites. Wash egg whites in cold water. Drain on paper towel and set aside. Finely chop egg yolks; set aside in a small bowl. Chop egg whites and save in a bowl.
Arrange asparagus on a serving platter. Sprinkle egg yolk and egg white and parsley over asparagus.
Serve cold with the herb-vinaigrette.

Serves: 10

Quiche can be made up to 1 day in advance. Cool to room temperature, then wrap with plastic and refrigerate. To reheat, bake at 325°F until warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, softened, plus more for pan
4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
6 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/4 cups half-and-half or light cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Pinch of grated nutmeg
6 ounces Fontina cheese or Emmenthal cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 bunch asparagus (about 1/2 pound), ends trimmed

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a 9-by-2 1/2-inch springform pan with butter. Line the sides of the pan with strips of waxed paper (the same height as pan); brush paper with butter.
Using the coarse grater disk on a food processor or the largest holes on a box grater, shred potatoes. Toss with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a large bowl. Transfer to a clean dishtowel, gather together ends of towel, and thoroughly wring out excess liquid; Transfer potatoes to a bowl and add butter, 1 egg, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.Pat into bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until set, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until translucent, 5-6 minutes; set aside.
Whisk eggs, half-and-half, mustard powder, nutmeg, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper in another large bowl and set aside.
Sprinkle Fontina or Emmenthal cheese, and sautéed shallots evenly over bottom of crust, then pour in egg mixture. Arrange asparagus decoratively on top. Bake until quiche is set and crust is well browned, 30-35 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before cutting into wedges.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

12 asparagus spears
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 small scallions (green onions), chopped
to taste, salt and ground white pepper
2 tablespoons heavy cream

• preparation

Cut asparagus in halves. Discard the woody parts. Cut spears into 1-inch pieces. Cook in salted boiling water until tender, about 6 minutes. Melt butter in a skillet. Add asparagus, scallions, salt and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender. Put through a strainer. Heat in a saucepan with the cream, and keep warm until needed.

Serves: 8

Serves 8 as appetizers

• Ingredients

1 pound asparagus spears
2 medium leeks, white parts only
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
6 ounces melted butter
8 ounces grated Gruyère cheese
3 eggs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh snipped chives
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
dash cayenne pepper
12 sheets packaged phyllo pastry
Tomato coulis

• preparation

Trim and cut asparagus into 1-inch lengths. Blanch in salted boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and chill in cold water. Drain on pat dry. Reserve in a bowl.
Slice leek across thinly and wash thoroughly. In a non-stick pan, melt 2 ounces of the butter. Sauté leeks and shallots in butter until transparent.
Add to the asparagus together with grated Gruyère cheese, eggs, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh snipped chives, salt, fresh ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lay 1 leaf of phyllo on work surface. Brush with melted butter. Continue until there are 6 buttered layers. Place half of the asparagus mixture along one short end, tuck ends in and roll up jelly-roll fashion. Place on a buttered baking sheet.
Make second strudel with remaining phyllo, butter and filling, and place on same baking sheet.
Brush rolls with any remaining butter. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until golden. Cool lightly and slice into 2-inch pieces. Serve as appetizer with fresh tomato coulis.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

24 fresh asparagus spears, cut to 4 inches
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 ounces Stilton cheese
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
12 thin slices of prosciutto, cut into halves

• preparation

Clean and peel asparagus. Cook lightly in salted boiling water or steam until crisp. Plunge in ice cold water.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, whisk cream cheese, Stilton cheese, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
Spread each half slice of prosciutto with some of the cream cheese mixture. Roll around an asparagus spear. Arrange on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 5 minutes or until heated through.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds asparagus trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons liquid honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons diced sweet red pepper

• preparation

In large skillet, simmer asparagus in salted boiling water for 6 minutes or just until tender.
Drain on towels; transfer to platter.
Whisk oil, lime rind and juice, honey, salt and pepper; stir in mint and chives.
Drizzle over asparagus; garnish with red pepper.

From Canada Living Test Kitchen

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 pound white asparagus, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound green asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (2 large)
1/4 pound fresh morels, cleaned and halved lengthwise if large
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Garnish: chopped fresh tarragon

• preparation

Cook white and green asparagus separately in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes for white asparagus; about 3 minutes for green asparagus.
Transfer asparagus with a slotted spoon to a colander and rinse under cold water (to stop cooking), then drain again. Pat dry.
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add morels and sauté, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, tarragon, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons butter and sauté, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately.

Serves: 6

The success of this recipe is attributed to the raspberry vinegar that makes this fruity tasting salad.

• Ingredients

2 1/2 cups diagonally sliced asparagus
2 cups rinsed, dried and torn endive leaves
2 large oranges, sliced into rounds
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

To a large pot of boiling water, add the asparagus. Blanch for 3 to 4 minutes; drain, and plunge asparagus into a bowl of cold water. Drain again and dry.
In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, endive, oranges, and red onion.

Whisk together the raspberry vinegar, canola oil, orange juice, sugar and salt and pepper.
Add dressing to the asparagus endive mixture; toss well and serve.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 red bell peppers
5 teaspoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
to taste, coarse salt and pepper
36 spears of asparagus
6 thin slices of Parma
4 sheets of phyllo
3/4 cup melted butter
6 teaspoons dry breadcrumbs
1 cup baby arugula leaves

• preparation

Pepper coulis:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rub peppers with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes or until almost charred. Remove and place in plastic container with a lid to steam and cool. When cool enough to handle, push off the skins and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers in food processor fitted with metal blade and puree along with the vinegar, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon water. Season to taste.

Wash asparagus. with a sharp knife, trim bottoms to make spears of equal length. Place the asparagus in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and refresh. Pat dry. Toss with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Cut the ham in half lengthwise.
Hold 3 asparagus spears together. Wrap one strip of ham around the center of the asparagus bundle and set aside. Continue making bundles until you have 12.
Carefully lay one sheet of phyllo dough on damp towel. Lightly brush it with some of the melted butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon bread crumbs. Butter another sheet and place on top of the crumbled sheet. Using a very sharp knife, carefully cut the phyllo sheets, from top to bottom, into 6 strips. Roll one phyllo strip around the center of an asparagus-ham bundle. continue until you have prepared 6 bundles. Repeat the process with the remaining phyllo sheets, butter, crumbs, and 6 remaining asparagus bundles. Place bundles on baking sheet . Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown.
Toss arugula leaves with remaining teaspoon of oil. Place a tablespoon or more of pepper puree in center of each plate. Cross 2 asparagus bundles over the puree. Garnish with a few arugula leaves and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup peanut oil
2 1/2 ounces chopped black truffles
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

• preparation

In a small bowl, whisk together stock, oil and truffles.
In a deep 10 -to 12-inch skillet bring 3 inches salted water to a boil and cook asparagus until crisp tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain asparagus. Pat dry. Transfer to a serving dish and toss with butter.
Spoon truffle broth over asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Serve asparagus warm or at room temperature.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

5 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves
8 ounce shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound asparagus
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup vegetable stock
2 tablespoon Italian parsley
10 basil leaves
1 pound farfalle pasta
2 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

• preparation

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (firm to the bite), about 8 to 10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large saute pan and cook the garlic until golden. Add the shrimp and saute for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Remove the shrimp from the pan and add the asparagus, salt, hot red pepper flakes, and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan and add the parsley and basil and stir to combine.
4. Add the well-drained pasta to the sauce and stir over low heat until the pasta is coated with the sauce. Remove the pan from the heat and add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir. Serve immediately.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1/2 cup melted butter
12 slices white bread
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 ounces cooked asparagus, cut into small pieces
6 ounces cooked flaked crabmeat
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper

• preparation

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Spread butter over one side of each bread slice.
Arrange 6 slices, buttered sides down, in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Layer the cheese, asparagus and crab over bread. Place remaining bread slices, buttered sides up, over crab meat.
In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; blend well.
Pour egg mixture evenly over bread.
Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Serves: 10

30 minutes

• Ingredients

For oven-poached chicken:
1-5 pound roasting chicken
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon tarragon and thyme

For salad:
1 pound rotini pasta
1 pound asparagus, cooked
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed and blanched
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup almonds, unblanched and toasted

For basil-tarragon dressing:
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons each fresh basil and tarragon
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
to taste salt and pepper

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place roasting chicken in large pan.
In glass measure, combine stock, wine, bay leaf, tarragon and thyme; pour over chicken. Cover pan with foil.
Bake 1 1/2 hours or until drumsticks move easily in sockets. Remove pan from heat; set aside to cool completely.
Remove chicken to board; strain stock and reserve for another use, such as soup.
Remove all meat from chicken, discarding skin and bones; cut meat into 2-by 1-inch pieces. Place chicken meat in large bowl; refrigerate, covered up to 24 hours.
In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 5 to 7 minutes. Drain well; rinse under running water.
Cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces; add to snow peas and chicken, along with red pepper and almonds.
Dressing:
In food processor, combine onion, parsley, sugar, basil, tarragon and garlic. Process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; process until creamy and well combined. Add dressing to salad; toss well. Spoon unto serving platter. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Oven-Poached Chicken:

1 4 to 5 pound roasting chicken
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salad:
1 pound rotini pasta
1 pound asparagus
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup unblanched almonds, toasted

Basil-Tarragon Dressing:
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

• preparation

Place chicken in large roasting pan. Combine chicken stock, wine, bay leaf, tarragon and thyme; pour over chicken, cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven until drumsticks move easily and liquid runs clear.
Remove from pan and cool completely. Remove all meat from chicken and cut into bite size pieces. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Break off tough ends of asparagus. Cook in boiling water until tender-crisp. Add snow peas to asparagus for 30 seconds. Drain vegetables and rinse under cold running water. Cut asparagus into bite-size pieces; add asparagus and snow peas to chicken, along with red pepper and almonds.
In food processor, combine onion, parsley, sugar, basil, tarragon and garlic; process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; process until creamy. Add dressing to salad and toss well.

Serves: 8

This soup is delicious hot or cold

• Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped yellow onions
3 tablespoons flour
2 quarts chicken stock
2 pounds asparagus spears
1/2 cup light cream

• preparation

Melt the butter in a large pot and simmer the onion until very soft. Add a little water to steam onion and avoid browning. Stir often.
Stir in flour to blend. Add chicken stock. Whisk and bring to a boil. Simmer soup for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, trim the asparagus spears, discarding the tough woody ends. Wash and chop spears into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and cool under cold water.
Place asparagus in a blender, mixing in batches, and puree adding a little water if necessary. Strain asparagus puree through a strainer. Reserve in a bowl.
Cool soup, and puree in a blender. Strain and return to a soup pot.
To serve hot:
At serving time, heat soup and asparagus puree in separate pots.
Just before serving add the green asparagus puree to soup. If serving into individual soup plates, swirl the green puree in soup to get a decorative effect.
To serve cold:
Spoon soup in into individual soup plates, swirling spoonfuls of the asparagus puree into the soup.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

12 small red potatoes
Herb steaming liquid ( recipe below)
2 cups trimmed and cleaned fiddleheads
16 asparagus spears, ends snapped off
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped

HERB STEAMING LIQUID

2 cups Chardonnay
1/2 cup water
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 lemon, thinly sliced

• preparation

Place the potatoes in a steamer, cover and steam over herb steaming liquid until tender, about 30 minutes. Add the fiddleheads and steam for 5 to 8 minutes.
Add the asparagus and steam until the fiddleheads and asparagus are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes more.
Divide the vegetables among four plates. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

HERB STEAMING LIQUID

Combine the wine, water, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, peppercorns and lemon in the bottom of the desired steaming equipment.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute.
Begin steaming. Add boiling water if too much of the liquid evaporates before cooking is complete.
Yield: About three and one-half cups.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

12 ounces fresh fettuccini
1 chicken cube
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound boned and skinned chicken scallopine
to taste salt and pepper
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 pound asparagus tips, cooked
2 artichoke bottoms, sliced
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup pesto
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

• preparation

In large pot of boiling salted water add chicken cube . Stir to dissolve . Cook pasta in water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
Place in a large bowl. Cut the chicken into small strips. Heat oil in a sauté pan over high heat.
Quickly stir fry chicken strips. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to an oven proof casserole dish.
Add mushrooms and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Combine chanterelle mushrooms with chicken. Steam to heat asparagus tips and artichokes.
Heat marinara sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat chicken and mushrooms until chicken is fully cooked.
To serve:
Heat fettuccini in boiling water. Drain well. Transfer to a large serving platter. Spoon marinara sauce over pasta. Garnish pasta with chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and spoon pesto in center of pasta. Serve at once, with fresh parmesan cheese.

Serves: 6

The use of the oven is much more preferable to stirring and the recipe turns out into a creamy texture.

• Ingredients

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
5 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup arborio
rice
8 oz pound sliced Cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms, debris rinsed from mushrooms and drained
1 small bunch of fresh asparagus spears (about 1 pound)
1 cup fresh English peas
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup light cream
1 tablespoon tamari
1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes, then add the minced garlic. Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, until the onions are well browned. Deglaze with the wine and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Add 4 cups broth and stir in the rice. Cover the pot and bake until rice is tender and cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Prepare the mushrooms. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add the cleaned, sliced mushrooms to the pot with a dash of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are darker in color, fragrant and have soaked up most of their own juices, about 10 minutes.
Prepare the asparagus by snapping off the tough ends and discarding them, then slicing the spears into 1-inch long pieces. Cook the asparagus in boiling water for 5 minutes. Add the peas and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Drain the asparagus and peas in a colander.

Remove the pot from the oven. Pour in the remaining hot broth, cream, asparagus, peas, Parmesan, butter, tamari, salt, and a generous amount of pepper. Stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Stir in the mushroom mixture and any remaining juices. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide into bowls and top with a generous sprinkling ofparsley.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3 pounds fresh asparagus
extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash asparagus and trim. Cut to even lengths, about 7 inches. Brush asparagus with olive oil and arrange in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Season well with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan.
Roast until tender, about 15 minutes. Serve very hot, sprinkled with more Parmesan.

Serves: 4

A fresh and zesty great recipe for the warmer weather. You could substitute red wine vinegar for the lemon juice, and also add in other spring vegetables like sliced radishes, snap peas.

• Ingredients

1 bunch large asparagus, (not the small pencil thick)
1⁄4 cup toasted nuts of your choice (pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds)
lemon juice to taste
zest of one lemon
a splash of olive oil
a handful salad mix or arugula
Parmesan or crumbled feta
Sea salt and pepper

• preparation

Shave the asparagus into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler or a slicer starting at the root end, shaving downwards towards the tip.
Mix the shaved asparagus together with the salad mix or arugula and toss with the lemon juice, zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Top with the toasted nuts and cheese.
Serve immediately.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Quiche Crust
1 homemade quiche crust (shortcrust pastry)
2 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry
1 x 9" refrigerated pie crust , fitted in a 9" pie dish or tart tin
1 ready made pie shell (23cm / 9", fridge or frozen)
Quiche Filling:
15g / 1 tbsp butter , unsalted
1 leek , white part only halved and finely sliced (Note 2)
2 garlic cloves , minced
8 - 10 asparagus spears
5 eggs (~55 - 60g / 2oz each)
1 1/2 cups (375ml) cream , full fat (Note 3)
1/4 tsp salt + pinch pepper
2 tbsp fresh dill , roughly chopped (Note 4)
200g / 7 oz smoked salmon , cut into 4cm / 1.7" pieces (Note 5)
3/4 cup (75g) gruyere cheese , grated (Note 6)
Decorations (optional)
Dill sprigs and extra smoked salmon

• preparation

Homemade quiche crust or frozen shortcrust pastry - prepare and bake the crust per Quiche Crust recipe.
Refrigerated pie crust - unroll, fit into a 9" pie dish or tart tin. Bake per packet directions.
Prepared pie shell (ie comes in foil dish) - bake per packet directions, scale Filling down to 4 eggs (Note 1).
Filling:
Preheat oven to 180C/350F (160C/320F fan forced).
Place cooked quiche crust on a tray.
Asparagus - break woody ends off (Note 7). Cut into 3.5cm / 1.5" pieces, separate tips from stems (tips for decorating).
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic, saute for 2 minutes or until leeks are translucent, don't let them go golden.
Stir in asparagus stems (don't cook), then remove from stove.
Cool slightly then scatter across base of quiche crust.
Whisk together eggs, cream, dill, salt, pepper in a bowl.
Scatter 2/3 of the salmon across quiche, folding/twisting pieces rather than laying flat.
Top with cheese, pour over egg mixture.
Top with remaining salmon and asparagus tips.
Bake for 40 minutes or until top is light golden and centre is set but still slightly jiggly when you poke it.
Rest for 10 minutes before carefully removing from tin and slicing.

Serves: 6

Recipe adaptation and courtesy of Courtesy Ina Garten from her new cookbook Back to Basics.

• Ingredients

1- 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
1 cup chopped fennel
1-1/2 cups Arborio rice
2/3 cup dry white wine
4 to 5 cups simmering chicken stock
1 pound thin asparagus
5 ounces frozen peas, defrosted, or 1 1/2 cups shelled fresh peas
5 ounces fava beans
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, preferably Italian
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, plus extra for serving

• preparation

Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and fennel and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Add the rice and stir for a minute to coat with the vegetables, oil, and butter. Add the white wine and simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until most of the wine has been absorbed. Add the chicken stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring almost constantly and waiting for the stock to be absorbed before adding more. This process should take 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the asparagus diagonally in 1 1/2-inch lengths and discard the tough ends. Blanch in boiling salted water for 4 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain and cool immediately in ice water. (If using fresh peas and fresh fava beans, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until the starchiness is gone.)

When the risotto has been cooking for 15 minutes, drain the asparagus and add it to the risotto with the peas, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. continue cooking and adding stock, stirring almost constantly, until the rice is tender but still firm.

Whisk the lemon juice and mascarpone together in a small bowl. When the risotto is done, turn off the heat and stir in the mascarpone mixture plus the Parmesan cheese and chives. set aside off the heat for a few minutes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve hot with a sprinkling of chives and more Parmesan cheese.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1/2 pound green beans (1-inch length)
1 pound cooked asparagus
2 cooked artichoke bottoms
2 tablespoons snipped chives
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon minced chervil
1 tomato
1 avocado
sherry vinegar mayonnaise

• preparation

Cut green beans into 1-inch lengths.
Cook in boiling salted water until tender. Drain.
Cut asparagus into 1-inch lengths.
Cut each artichoke bottom into 6 wedges.
Combine beans, asparagus, artichokes, chives, parsley and chervil with enough mayonnaise to coat.
Peel and thinly slice the tomato.
Peel, pit and thinly slice the avocado.
Arrange the salad on four lettuce lined plates and garnish with tomato and avocado.