With spring comes asparagus season! This versatile vegetable, with its unique flavour and texture, is a real treat for foodies all over the world. From classic dishes to new culinary discoveries, the possibilities with asparagus are endless. Let’s explore some delicious dishes with asparagus!
Asparagus à la Flamande
This traditional Belgian dish brings the natural flavour of asparagus to life by combining it with rich, buttery sauce and hard-boiled eggs.
Ingredients
- Fresh white asparagus
- Butter
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Peel the asparagus thoroughly to remove the hard outer layer. Cut off the woody ends.
- Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the asparagus and cook for about 8-10 minutes, depending on their thickness, until tender but still firm.
- While the asparagus is cooking, melt some butter in a small saucepan.
- Peel and slice the hard-boiled eggs.
- Drain the cooked asparagus and arrange on a serving platter.
- Pour the melted butter over the asparagus and top with the slices of hard-boiled egg.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Grilled salmon with asparagus
Grilled salmon with asparagus is a light and flavourful dish that is perfect for a summer evening meal.
Ingredients
- Fresh salmon fillets
- Fresh white asparagus
- Olive oil
- Fresh salmon fillets
- Fresh dill, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the grill over medium-high heat.
- Peel the asparagus and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Place the asparagus on the grill and cook until light brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on their thickness.
- Marinate the salmon fillets with olive oil, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt and pepper.
- Grill the salmon fillets on the hot grill until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
- Serve the grilled salmon together with the grilled asparagus, garnished with extra lemon wedges and fresh dill.
By the way, you can also serve this dish perfectly with smoked salmon.
Sirloin steak with asparagus and red wine sauce
A succulent sirloin steak paired with fresh asparagus and a rich red wine sauce is a true culinary delight.
Ingredients
- Entrecote steaks
- Fresh white asparagus
- Red wine
- Beef broth
- Butter
- Fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and melt a knob of butter.
- Season the sirloin steaks with salt and pepper and fry them in the hot pan until they reach the desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove them from the pan and let them rest under aluminium foil.
- Peel the asparagus and blanch briefly in boiling water until bright green but still crisp. Drain them.
- In the same pan in which you cooked the sirloin steak, add red wine, beef stock and fresh thyme. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve the sirloin steak together with the asparagus and pour the red wine sauce over it. Garnish with extra fresh thyme if desired.
Other delicious asparagus dishes
Besides the classic asparagus à la flamande, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this vegetable. Here are some suggestions:
Grilled asparagus with lemon and parmesan cheese:
- Grill the peeled asparagus until nicely browned.
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and grate some Parmesan cheese on top.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve as a side dish or light meal.
Asparagus risotto:
- Prepare a classic risotto and add diced asparagus halfway through the cooking process.
- Stir until the asparagus is soft and the risotto is creamy.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as basil and serve with extra Parmesan cheese.
Asparagus and ham rolls:
- Wrap thin slices of ham around each asparagus and place in a baking dish.
- Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with grated cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
So, with these recipes for delicious dishes with asparagus, you can make your own. Be sure to try making your own delicious asparagus soup. Enjoy!