Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tips

Grilled AsparagusDSC_4156

“We just picked these this morning” said the seller, pointing at the long stemmed asparagus. Some had a purple hue…good looking bunch indeed. Another round of Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market opened on the 17th of May.IMG_1169These are our catches of the day.

My husband and I always enjoy such an outing, and seldom decline offerings from vendors. Would you like to taste? Would I ever! It’s a ‘line’ I know…they are casting a line to lure in the customer. However, my purchase is helping the economy…the seller’s economy at least.

Unlike the previous week, this asparagus dish doesn’t look that pretty when cooked yet it tastes great. I like having this with warm cooked pasta. Add some chill powder in the herb mix if you like some kick.

Ingredients and Instructions (Print Recipe here)

Necessary Equipment: Gas or charcoal grill

  • 4 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • *Herb mix -  parsley, dill, chives, mint and basil 1 Tablespoon each. *Use minced fresh herb if you have it.
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 4 teaspoons of white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoons stone ground Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • Kosher salt  and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8-10 asparagus, hard stem trimmed and peeled 2/3rd way up. Use whole or cut in 3 inch long pieces for easier consumption. You need a grilling basket or foil in that case. DSC_4134
  • 1/2 purple onion (optional)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
  1. Put cream cheese, herbs, milk, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, lemon zest and salt and pepper (perhaps 1/2 teaspoon each of the salt & pepper; more or less) in a bowl and blend with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth. Set aside.
    DSC_4070DSC_4071
  2. Heat gas or charcoal grill over medium high heat.
  3. Toss the asparagus and purple onion wedge with olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay asparagus on the grill perpendicular so that asparagus won’t fall through the grill gate. Put the purple onion on the side. Put cut asparagus on the grilling basket or top of foil. We used this handy grilling mat.DSC_4082 DSC_4141
  4. Grill the asparagus for 1-2 minutes then brush with the cream cheese mixture* Grill for 1-2 minutes longer until the asparagus is tender but still crunchy. Do the same for onion (if using – it takes longer).
  5. Chop or slice grilled onion and put it on the asparagus (optional). Season with more salt and pepper if necessary.DSC_4144

*Option #1: Instead of brushing asparagus with cream cheese mixture, Mix gently AFTER asparagus was grilled. This method is better for cut asparagus.

*Option #2: Forget brushing cream cheese mixture during grilling or mixing it after, instead use as dipping sauce.

Sweet! This vender gave me several spoonful's of sugar, I mean honey and jam to taste.

The peach blossom honey.IMG_1158

Aloha! He was from Hawaii, surprise, surprise! He went to Kahuku High School. Really? That’s where my daughter teaches. He now resides in Washington State. IMG_1160

Stopped by the nursery on the way home for a few veggie starts. The red Adirondack chairs are adorable, over $500 each…not that cute!.IMG_1166

We had  a few days of hot weather last week that helped ripen the strawberries in our back yard.DSC_4047DSC_4048DSC_4051We topped them on the sour dough waffles.Darling, this is great!DSC_4059In the mille-feuille.like dessert.  Thumbs up from my husband.DSC_4043

I’m responsible to do various activities with my church girls (8 to 11 years old) twice a month. I helped them make Angie’s flourless peanut butter cookies last week.IMG_1132IMG_1134It was fun! A bit messy but fun!

Just let you know….I’m leaving for Hawaii today…unplanned rather emergency trip though grateful to see my grand daughter. Thankful she is doing well.

My husband promised me he will post Kimchee-blue cheese croissant from Momofuku’s Milk Bar cook book next week… I have some reservations but it will be fine, right? See you in a couple weeks.

12 comments:

  1. Freshly picked asparagus and strawberries from your own garden!! And then honey from a guy from Hawaii! I love this post! Hope you have a fun and relaxing trip.

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  2. Hi Nippon Nin,

    I love all the colours of Spring like the slightly purple asparagus and bright red strawberries... that you have shown in your post today. Wow! Everything is so grey in Melbourne today :(

    Your husband's kimchee-blue cheese croissant from Momofuku’s Milk Bar!!! I can't wait to see how he made these.

    Zoe

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  3. Looks amazing. Anything on the grill is sure to be amazing.

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  4. あれ、お孫さん大丈夫ですか。お見舞いとのこと、早く良くなりますように。
    おいしそうなアスパラのレシピありがとうございます。クリームチーズを使ったりするところが、ナイス。私にはないアイデアなので、嬉しいです。採れたてのイチゴ!おいしそう!ご主人とお買い物行ったり、お料理作ったり、なんだかいいですね~。うちはゆったりからかけ離れた生活です。明美さんの生活様子聞いててなんだか、憧れます。

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  5. It's great to get many strawberry in your garden. These sweets tempt me. Girls look happy for your help. You are happy that your husband is good at cooking.
    Have a nice trip!

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  6. Thank you so much for the shout out! I hope the gals have enjoyed the cookies as much as we do. Those grilled asparagus look totally awesome! Have a great time in Hawaii!

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  7. When I saw your own strawberries, I forgot for a minute my beloved asparagus... I still remember when I picked strawberries in my grandmother's garden. They were the best in the world.
    Your asparagus looks delicious. I haven't had the violet one yet this year. I must hurry and see if I find it on my market.

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  8. Your grilled asparagus looks delicious and love the bright red onion with it and those fresh strawberries must have wonderful sweet flavor! They are just right for the waffles and dessert.
    We are glad your granddaughter is doing well and wish you a safe trip to the beautiful location of Hawaii!

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  9. The grilled asparagus look super and the dressing for the asparagus sounds delicious - definitely something that I would try when I have the chance to buy some asparagus again!

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  10. the grilled asparagus looks so delicious! and i am drooling over your dessert. looks so tempting!
    happy sunday and than ks for your lovely comment.

    p.s. i love your blog!

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  11. I love grilled asparagus and this dressing looks absolutely perfect with them!

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  12. I like grilled asparagus too - I prefer it most when it's a bit crispy, and just made some this week, but my wife whined about it being too hard. She wants it "fall-apart soft", pfft. Gorgeous looking bunch though, and those strawberries look just "lush".

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