Asparagus with Salt and Pepper Whipped Cream
Topped with decadent cream, this simple side dish is just delicious.
Ingredients:
1½-2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and peeled
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Method:
- Preheat oven to 250º. Cook the asparagus in boiling, salted water, or steam, until just tender. Place the drained asparagus in a shallow serving dish, and keep it warm in the oven.
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter with ¼ cup heavy cream over low heat. Stir and pour over the asparagus; return the asparagus to the oven.
- Beat the remaining ¾ cup cream with the salt and pepper until soft peaks form. Spoon over the hot asparagus. Serve immediately.
Mushroom & Asparagus Eggs Benedict
Served over toasted bread, this eggs Benedict is truly stunning.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ½ teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 ounces wild mushrooms, halved or quartered depending on size
- ¼ cup white wine, or broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 slices multigrain bread, lightly toasted
- 12 spears asparagus, blanched
- 4 eggs
- Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add the butter and allow it to melt, then toss in the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the wine or broth, deglaze the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes and reduce the heat to low.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Swirl the water in the pot. Crack an egg into a bowl and gently pour the egg from the bowl into the water. Repeat with another egg. Let the eggs cook until the whites are set but the yolks are not, about 2-3 minutes then fish them out. Repeat with remaining two eggs.
- To serve, place the toast on plates, top with the asparagus, poached eggs and creamy mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meyer Lemon Aioli
This bright aioli is fantastic served with asparagus, or other grilled or sautéed spring veggies!
Ingredients:
1 shallot, peeled and minced
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Method:
1. Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth; transfer to a small bowl. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
Braised Spring Potatoes with Garlic
The secret to this simple and quick braised recipe is the chicken stock, which reduces down to a syrup, coating the potatoes in a meaty glaze.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds small spring potatoes, such as this week’s Huckleberry Golds, rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken stock
3 garlic cloves
½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cut potatoes in half and place in a pot, fitting them into a snug, single layer. Pout in the olive oil and chicken stock. Add garlic cloves and a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Cover the pot and bring the stock to a simmer. Reduce heat to a medium-low and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Remove lid, turn up heat to high and cook until liquid reduces, becomes thick and start to coat the potatoes. Stir occasionally. Plate potatoes and sprinkle with chopped rosemary; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meyer Lemon Relish
This fresh-and-tart spread from Food & Wine is wonderful served alongside chicken, halibut or a freshly-toasted baguette.
Ingredients:
1 large Meyer lemon, peeled and peel very thinly-sliced
1 shallot, minced
2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons chives, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
½ cup olive oil
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Finely chop the lemon pulp, discarding any seeds, and transfer to a bowl.
2. Add the lemon peel, minced shallots, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, chives, parsley, olive oil and crushed red pepper to the bowl. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper and serve. (Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 3 days.)
Sausage, Sweet Onion & Leek Scramble
This hearty scramble will fill you up to start your day.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
8 ounces breakfast sausage links
¼ cup milk
½ cup chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
½ Walla Walla sweet onion, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly-chopped parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the butter or oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage links and cook through, breaking the sausage into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Then, add the leeks and onion and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 2-3 minute, until both are softened and fragrant.
2. Crack eggs and break over a shallow bowl. Break yolks with a whisk or fork, then whisk together with the milk, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Add eggs to the frying pan and mix with the sausage and vegetables.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally until eggs are set and no longer runny. Gently mix in the freshly-chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Quick-Pickled Watermelon Radishes
These quick and easy pickled watermelon radishes add bright flavor to all sorts of dishes, along with a beautiful burst of color.
Ingredients:
½ cup rice vinegar
½ cup water
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
8-10 medium to large watermelon radishes, peeled and sliced thinly crosswise
Method:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar until sugar and salt are fully dissolved. Add the radishes and toss to coat. Lay a clean paper towel on the surface to keep the radishes submerged. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes before serving. Pickled radishes can be packed into a jar with their brine and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Vanilla Bean French Toast
Prep this fragrant French toast the night before, and then bake it in the oven right before brunch—easy, peasy!
Ingredients:
1 loaf cinnamon bread, cut into 1-inch slices
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups half-and-half
¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh berries and confectioner’s sugar, for topping
Method:
1. Preheat an oven to 425°. Butter or grease the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Set aside, Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast until the bread is lightly golden brown and dry, about 7 minutes, flipping the slices about halfway through the cooking time. Transfer the bread slices to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. With the tip of a paring knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean halves into the egg mixture and whisk to combine; reserve the vanilla bean halves. In batches, dip the bread slices into the egg mixture, turning the slices to coat them evenly and letting the bread sit in the bowl for about 2 minutes to absorb the liquid. Arrange the bread slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly. Pour any remaining egg mixture in the bowl evenly over the bread in the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
3. To bake, preheat the oven to 350°. Transfer the dish, still covered with the foil, to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the dish, increase the oven temperature to 375° and continue baking until the French toast is puffed up and browned, about 15 minutes more. While the French toast is cooking, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the maple syrup and the 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. To serve, pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the French toast. Garnish with the reserved vanilla bean halves, if desired, and serve with berries and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar.